Thermal Insulation Performance Analysis for Oil Pipelines

Numerical modelling of heat transfer through the insulation materials surrounding oil transport pipelines. The study evaluates the wall-temperature distribution in order to ensure effective thermal insulation, prevent heat loss and maintain the viscosity that the transported crude oil requires.

• Wall-temperature contours: the temperature through the pipe wall and its insulation, on a colour scale from blue (low) to red (high).
• Insulation performance: how steeply the temperature falls through the insulation shows how well it holds the heat back.

Crude oil becomes thicker as it cools, and thicker oil takes more pumping power. Good insulation limits the heat loss along the line, so that the oil keeps the viscosity it needs and pumping stays economical. Simulating the temperature distribution makes it possible to compare insulation materials and thicknesses before a line is built or refurbished.