Applied in the steam pipelines of viscous oil production, aerogel blanket can efficiently reduce the heat loss of the pipelines and better control the temperature drop.
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Challenges
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Steam is mostly produced through burning coal and natural gas with a high cost. When the pipelines run through a long distance, the severe heat loss causes massive energy waste.
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Most oil fields are located in terrible environment with low temperature, which further increases heat loss.
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Conventional materials costs a lot in logistics while serves for a short term.
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Due to the poor insulation performance of conventional materials, a big insulation thickness is required which causes heat leakage between gaps.
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Benefits of aerogel insulation materials
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Decreases the insulation thickness and the heat loss, energy conservation rate can reach 30% compared to conventional materials.
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Heat leakage between gaps can be prevented by overlap and stagger, while reduced insulation.
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Reduces logistics costs, improves installation ease.
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With an estimated usage life of 20 years, investment in aerogel insulation materials is beneficial during the maintenance over the long term.
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A mixed solution of aerogel insulation materials and other materials is cost effective and insulation effective.
