Technical estimation of composite and metallic pipelines application

The article compares the technical parameters of composite and metal pipelines application, as well as insulation from polyurethane (PU) and foamed rubber (FR) for centralized heat supply in the Russian Federation. It has been determined that over the entire range of diameters, the temperature of the external surface of a non-insulated pipe and the heat flux (heat losses) through an insulated surface will be less for composite pipes than for metallic pipes. It is shown that the optimum thickness of thermal insulation for composite pipelines according to the calculated data (according to ISO 153-34.20.523-2003) is lower than for metal pipes by 4–5 mm. It is recommended the use of composite pipes with a thermal insulation thickness 7–10% less than for similar dimensions of metal pipes (according to GOST 30732-2006) over the entire range of nominal diameters.