Complete solutions for continuous production of foam insulated pipe

Krauss Maffei Extrusion of Munich Germany, a world leader in plastics machinery, has successfully created a complete system for the continuous production of PU insulated pipes, which can integrate different plastic processes.

Pipe made of PE-HD, PE-X, PE-RT or PB is produced on a conventional pipe extrusion line, where a barrier layer can also be applied. The standard version of the production system can be used to produce pipe with an outer diameter between 20 and 110mm. The continuous production process involves the pipe coming off the line, which is then wound onto large steel drums ready for transfer to the second production system unit for the application of the insulation layer.

Advantages of the new foam insulated pipe system include:-

• A PU mixing head that produces an insulation layer with a very low thermal conductivity – between 0.02 and 0.03 W/m*K, which makes highly efficient insulated pipes, ideal for when a significant temperature differential must be maintained between the medium flowing through the pipes and the ambient temperature. Such as supply lines for geothermal plants, hot water pipes and air-conditioning.

• The relatively high level of automation that results in lower labour costs.

• No length limits on the pipes being produced, which is possible due to the PU mixing head, which eliminates stoppages for cleaning and changing the mixing head

• Faster and easier laying of pipes, as there are minimal risks of thermal bridges and leaks. This is the result of the longer lengths and the number of connections required.