Thermal Insulation

  • Compliance, Safety, Insurance, Emissions & Maintenance

     
    There are a million important things to worry about on any vessel, so why does high-performance thermal insulation deserve a place on the list? Answer: Because it has a very important role to play in keeping your vessel out on the water, being operated safely by a crew and safely carrying passengers. 
     
    What is High-performance Thermal Insulation?
    When we talk about high-performance thermal insulation, we’re talking about insulation that can stop a significant amount of heat, in a relatively small space. Not the stuff that sits in between your drywall at home, but insulation made from sheet metal, metal foil, high-performance fabrics and composites that manage heat around exhaust and after-treatment systems, turbo chargers, high-pressure oil and hydraulic lines and other high-heat areas on a vessel. 
     
    So, now that we know what it is, why should you care about it? 
     
    Thermal Insulation, SOLAS and Safety
    SOLAS and safety go hand in hand. SOLAS regulations are there to keep your crew and passengers safe. And, of course, failing a SOLAS spot-check could mean getting stuck in port. The first area where thermal insulation is critical to SOLAS compliance is fire prevention. SOLAS calls for insulating any hot surfaces that could come into contact with fuel, as well as protecting fuel and oil lines against failure. Practically, this typically means insulating engine turbochargers and exhaust and after-treatment systems, as well as shielding fuel and oil line connection and joints, and double-walled piping for high-pressure fuel and oil lines.
     
    Another area SOLAS specifically addresses is noise, requiring compliance with the Maritime Safety Committee’s resolution MSC.337(91). This resolution prescribes acceptable noise levels for different parts of a vessel, such as machinery spaces, control rooms and other working spaces. High-performance thermal insulation not only insulates against heat, it can be designed and implemented to significantly decrease the noise emitted by engines and other mechanical systems. 
     
    One area that SOLAS doesn’t address specifically, but which we recommend considering, is safe-touch temperatures. SOLAS only requires insulating surfaces against fire danger if they reach above 220°C, but ASTM C1055 recommends keeping exposed surfaces that workers might come into contact with at or below 60°C. Many process engineers recommend 48°C as a more reasonable safe-to-touch temperature. 
     
    Typically, insulating engine components and exhaust systems to maintain safe-to-touch temperatures is impractical, and workers won’t come into contact with these surfaces while they’re at operating temperatures under standard maintenance procedures. However, if your vessel has high-temperature equipment in areas where workers could accidentally come into contact with it, such as hot water pipes, valves or other components, it is well worth implementing a thermal insulation solution that considers safe-to-touch temperatures.
     
    Thermal Insulation & Insurance
    It should be no surprise that, given thermal insulation’s role in safety, it’s also something that could be of great importance to your insurer. We were recently contacted by a company who was at risk of a significant insurance rate increase. They had experienced several fires caused by flammable materials coming into contact with exhaust components. Their insurer gave them a mandate: Fix the problem, or take a rate hike. 
     
    Thermal Structures was able to help them develop a thermal insulation solution that  reduced the risk of fires, improved safety, reduced downtime and made their insurer happy. Thermal insulation has so many safety benefits that, even if you haven’t experienced any problems, it’s worth talking with your insurer to see if implementing more comprehensive thermal insulation could help to reduce your rates. 
     
    Thermal Insulation & Emissions
    Whether you’re simply subject to the International Marine Organization’s (IMO) global marine engine regulations, or the more stringent Emission Control Area (ECA) regulations, thermal insulation plays a critical role in helping to meet those requirements. Meeting emissions standards often goes hand in hand with the generation of additional heat. Sometimes that heat is an essential part of the process, like with Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) regeneration. Other times, it’s simply a byproduct. In either case, when engines are producing more heat, they need more effective thermal insulation.
     
    Today, that’s largely relevant to compliance with IMO emissions standards, but it’s likely that, in the future, reducing emissions could become a source of profit. The EU and other organizations have already proposed “cap and trade” style programs for maritime emissions, where lower emissions producers would be able to sell their excess capacity to higher emissions producers. Vessels and fleets that have taken strides toward lowering emissions today will be well positioned to take advantage of those programs when they come into place. 
     
    Thermal Insulation & Maintenance
    The type of thermal insulation on your vessel can have a big impact on how easy or difficult it is to perform maintenance on systems covered by that insulation. Many times, thermal insulation has to be removed to perform maintenance on the system it’s protecting. If thermal insulation is poorly designed or implemented, it can cause a significant and costly obstacle to that maintenance. 
     
    There’s no one-size-fits-all answer in picking the right thermal insulation, so it’s important to consider several factors. For example, fabric insulation blankets typically have a lower initial cost, but over time they can “cure” into shape, and removing them can cause them to disintegrate. Foil and sheet metal insulation might have a higher initial cost, but they can be removed and reattached for the life of the engine without being damaged. 
     
    Cleaning is also an important consideration. On many vessels, surfaces that could become contaminated with oil, fuel or other flammable chemicals are frequently cleaned. Sheet metal and foil insulation can stand up to rigorous cleaning and even pressure-washing without any issues, but fabric insulation could present a problem. Picking the right thermal insulation can have a big impact on the ongoing cost and ease or difficulty of your vessel’s maintenance. 
     
    Getting Help
    The implementation of thermal insulation can be a lot to think about, and there’s no need to go it alone. Your best bet is to work closely with your engine manufacturer, or a thermal insulation provider, to make sure that your vessel or fleet is using appropriate, suitable and effective thermal insulation. It’s the first step in making sure your vessels are as safe, efficient and easy to maintain as possible.
     
     
    The Author
    Bruce Kaplan is Product Development Manager at Thermal Structures, Inc.
     
     
    (As published in the September 2016 edition of Marine News)

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  • material made of a flexible very low density, fireresistant polyimide foam. It provides not only excellent sound absorption but good thermal insulation, as well as being resilient and lightweight. Usable temperature range is unmatched by other noise control materials ( — 150 C to +

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  • MT May-19#50 hrysaor is a new operator on the UK Continental soon as)
    May 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 50

    hrysaor is a new operator on the UK Continental soon as it falls below 48°C the wax falls out,” says Emily Ead- Shelf. Only about 18 months old, it’s got growth ington, Wells & Subsea Projects Manager, at Chrysaor. “When ambitions, after ? rst acquiring a package of assets the line was installed in 1992

  • MT May-19#16 temperature of the Hydro- thermal vent Image: Schmidt Ocean)
    May 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 16

    the re? ection of the ROV SuBastian in the eye of this octopus. Inset: In the Control Room Below: SuBastian measuring the temperature of the Hydro- thermal vent Image: Schmidt Ocean Institute Image: Schmidt Ocean Institute May 2019 16 MTR MTR #4 (1-17).indd 16 4/25/2019 9:02:49 A

  • MR May-19#31 real-time streaming and thermal imaging over a mobile)
    May 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 31

    Black Diamond Advanced Technologies reportedly pre- sented the SkyRanger to the US Marine Corp with a TSM radio that enabled real-time streaming and thermal imaging over a mobile ad-hoc network, or MA- NET. It’s not known whether any of this technology is being used in Norway. Super drones Drone sales

  • MR May-19#27 from one source. of a 0D/1D thermal calculation Therma- –)
    May 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 27

    design process. On the basis the exhaust gas/turbocharger cladding Also, on board ships electri? cation is be- tem – all from one source. of a 0D/1D thermal calculation Therma- – ? rst the prototype – on your engine. coming more and more important. Ther- max de? nes material and thickness of mamax

  • MR May-19#26 design and manufac- ture of thermal and acoustic insulation)
    May 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 26

    , Thermamax, Inc. What is the Thermamax offering to the maritime indus- try? Thermamax is a specialist in the design and manufac- ture of thermal and acoustic insulation solutions for die- sel engines, spark ignited engines, exhaust aftertreatment systems and electric storage systems. Our markets

  • MN May-19#59 it does not high-temperature thermal blan- require electricity)
    May 2019 - Marine News page: 59

    exhaust piping, Shannon ate people at altitudes of 6 to 300 manufactures a custom ? t reusable meters. Fully mechanical, it does not high-temperature thermal blan- require electricity or any other power, ket, which, among other things, guaranteeing its operational reliabili- resists chemicals and weather

  • MR Apr-19#54 Maritime service to deliver thermal cutting HGG ProCAD design)
    April 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 54

    offers full process which utilizes Intelsat’s Flex cutting integration through the HGG ProCAM Software Suite, integrating Maritime service to deliver thermal cutting HGG ProCAD design, multi-layered Ku-band cover- HGG ProGRAM work preparation co- ordination, and HGG’s internationally recognized 3D plasma

  • MT Mar-19#63 with a FLIR imager for thermal front mapping. They)
    March 2019 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 63

    payload system allows operators to ? y multiple missions using a single aircraft. The MBARI operators used this drone combined with a FLIR imager for thermal front mapping. They also used very high-resolution cameras and were able to identify animals in the water, in this example jelly? sh, as well as

  • MR Feb-19#45 and ballast pumps, and the thermal foot draft, was built)
    February 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 45

    tanks to protect the hull for many more years fghting notation. The 112-foot by 44-foot tug has a 22- of service. Cargo and ballast pumps, and the thermal foot draft, was built for escort, ocean towing and ship oil cargo heating system has been entirely overhauled, Photo: Jensen Maritime assist, and

  • MR Feb-19#44 video from a FLIR M400 thermal secondary control station)
    February 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 44

    re- ters, the vessel has been outftted with a the 24-passenger boat includes include Dow Chemical, Enterprise, Phil- al-time video from a FLIR M400 thermal secondary control station on the aft deck, transferring passengers and lips 66, FLNG, and BP. imaging system, as well as live onboard equipped

  • MN Feb-19#50 and ballast pumps, and the thermal oil cargo heating system)
    February 2019 - Marine News page: 50

    Overhaul lation of new anodes on the hull and in the ballast tanks to protect the hull for many more years of service. Cargo and ballast pumps, and the thermal oil cargo heating system has been entirely overhauled, and the hose-handling cranes have been rebuilt. Additionally, the deck and navigation lighting

  • MR Jan-19#56 T TECH FILES: Water Management Arctic Foxtail: Oil Cleanup)
    January 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 56

    T TECH FILES: Water Management Arctic Foxtail: Oil Cleanup Tech A new oil spill response device designed to be capable of cleaning up spills in arctic conditions has been launched in an effort to bolster Norway’s spill preparedness. The new device, dubbed Arctic Fox- sulated cover and hydraulic heating

  • MR Jan-19#49 to wear, as well as better thermal resistance and piston)
    January 2019 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 49

    detergency and cleanliness. Compared with other BN 100 products on the market, Talusia Optima has a better-proven resistance to wear, as well as better thermal resistance and piston coat wearing. bers are being ? tted or LNG or dual- Choosing LSFO will subsequently these regulatory challenges. overstated

  • MR Dec-18#31 was adopted for the thermal insulation system of the cargo)
    December 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 31

    approximately 5,000m3 from the second largest MOSS type LNG carrier constructed by KHI. Ka- wasaki Panel System was adopted for the thermal insulation system of the cargo tanks, which offers outstanding LNG boil-off rate performance of no more than 0.08% per day. This ship is equipped with

  • MR Dec-18#24 with the to provide maximum thermal ef? ciency, and the)
    December 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 24

    Insulation technology mercial and recreational applications, 4H50TI, 4H50TIC and 4H50TICD. Be- possible ease of maintenance with the to provide maximum thermal ef? ciency, and the models are also available with cause of this universal design, it is very New Silent Pack as the maintenance leading to more

  • MT Nov-18#40 LADCP locations al- ocean’s thermal pro? le. Yet studies)
    November 2018 - Marine Technology Reporter page: 40

    than a moored array. signi? cant factor in maintaining the and then dissipates as fast as it spun up. The ? exibility of LADCP locations al- ocean’s thermal pro? le. Yet studies of An impressive feature of the Great lows better de? nition of the inner and mixing in the ocean had been limited to Whirl

  • MN Dec-18#35 HJ292 Draft: 26 inches Thermal Imaging Camera: FLIR)
    December 2018 - Marine News page: 35

    5075SC Fresh Water Capacity: 26 Gallons Beam: 13 feet – 10 inches Endurance: 8 hours @ 30 KT (240nm) Water Jets: 2x Hamilton HJ292 Draft: 26 inches Thermal Imaging Camera: FLIR M-Series Fire Pump: Hale RSD Crew Capacity: 2 Radio Communications: Icom, Motorola Navigation Suite: Simrad NSS Evo3 Diver Capacity:

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    December 2018 - Marine News page: 33

    2x Cummins QSC8.3-600hp Fuel: 2 x 240 Gallon Diesel Tank Beam: 16 feet Transmissions: 2x TwinDisc 5075SC Water Jets: 2x Hamilton HJ322 Draft: 26 inches Thermal Imaging Camera: FLIR M-Series Generator: Cummins Onan 9kW Crew Capacity: 6 Radio Comms: Icom and Motorola Navigation Suite: Garmin Fire Pump: Hale

  • MR Nov-18#91 that,” said Blocher. “Thermal imaging Design has designed)
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    ify,” said Nick Boksa. Boksa Marine River Boats are pilot boats that could be joint operations, the cabin was designed that,” said Blocher. “Thermal imaging Design has designed and engineered the crew vessels, too. We consider the op- to transport workers and supplies. The multiple navigation

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    . on MR TV at: https://www.marinelink.com/ Rolls-Royce installed an array of Intelligent videos/video/mol-invests-in-fleet-of-the-fu- Awareness sensors, thermal imaging cameras ture-100271 84 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News • NOVEMBER 2018 MR #11 (82-89).indd 84 MR #11 (82-89).indd 84 11/6/2018

  • MN Nov-18#76 You can compress it further, thermal protection caused by)
    November 2018 - Marine News page: 76

    The best way to describe this is to sel types has been the new design that exceeds required compare it to a coiled spring. You can compress it further, thermal protection caused by a cell failure, typically called hence making it stronger, or you can release it to allow it thermal runaway. Corvus, for example

  • MR Sep-18#52 completely stationary. Thermal Cutting Systems a tungsten)
    September 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 52

    Ship Rendering The evolution of CNC CNC operation, plasma systems used ordered, after about six months it was machine remains completely stationary. Thermal Cutting Systems a tungsten electrode, nitrogen as the typical that the operator would remove The older styles of bevel heads are less There are

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    September 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 47

    as ultrasonic stir weld (USW) and manufacturing prototype demonstration that can focus on maritime manufactur- After Material Review Board (MRB) dis- thermal stir weld (TSW) since 1996 and article could be fabricated and tested ing applications. position, it was decided to qualify a FSW has authored

  • MR Sep-18#46 of the FSW process called Thermal Stir Welding (TSW), a)
    September 2018 - Maritime Reporter and Engineering News page: 46

    WELDING TECHNOLOGY NASA has developed an innovative variation of the FSW process called Thermal Stir Welding (TSW), a process that introduces additional heat to the workpiece independent of the frictional heating between the stir tool and the metal. al force of the containment plate have decreased