Jacketed pipes are insulated pipes used to transport hot or cold materials. They are found in buildings, ships, and large-scale pipelines. The insulation helps maintain the temperature of the material and prevents condensation. Coated pipes are also used to insulate refrigeration pipes and prevent slip and fall accidents. In large pipelines, foam insulation is sprayed over the pipes to prevent materials from becoming too thick to flow.
A jacketed pipe is a pipe protected by an insulating cover. Typically used to transport hot steam or hot water, a jacketed pipe maintains the temperature of the material passing through it. Often found in buildings and ships, jacketed pipes are also found in large-scale pipelines that transport oil to very cold areas, such as the US Alaska Pipeline. The coated tubing used in such large pipelines prevents aggressive external elements from turning the oil inside to become so thick that it can no longer flow through the pipeline.
In large buildings, a jacketed pipe is often used to carry superheated steam from the heating units located in the basement of the building to the heating units on higher floors. To retain heat, the jacketed pipe is made with very heavy fiberglass insulation. Fiberglass insulation is often coated with a foil-like material to improve the heat retention properties of the insulation. The joints and seams in the coated pipe are taped with electrical tape to create a seamless cover.
Not only are the heated pipes insulated. Coated pipes are also used to insulate very cold pipes. One example is a pipe that carries liquid oxygen, an extremely cold material that is often used aboard ships. In an effort to keep the pipes carrying the cold liquid from becoming covered in frost and ice as they meander through the vessel, the heavily insulated cover keeps the cold inside the pipe. Were it not for the insulation covering the pipe, any skin contact could result in a cold burn requiring immediate medical attention.
Pipes carrying refrigeration materials are also covered with thick insulation. By covering the pipes with insulation, the compressors and evaporators are not worked as hard to maintain the cold setting of the refrigeration units. The use of a jacketed pipe also helps reduce the dripping of condensate water from the super-cold pipe. This reduces the risk of slip and fall accidents in areas where the pipeline passes through walkways and passenger corridors.
In the largest form, coated pipe is often created by spraying foam insulation over large pipes. This type of insulated pipe, used in cold climates, prevents materials such as crude oil from becoming cold and dense. Without the insulation, the oil flowing through the huge pipeline could become too thick to pump and could virtually stop flowing. This would hamper any attempts to load the crude onto ships or trucks for transport to refineries.
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