A saddle includes an arcuate central portion defining a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first flange portion bent radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the first end; and a second flange portion bend radially inward from the arcuate central portion at the second end.

An article with at least two extruded thermoplastic polymer foam pieces that fit together to form a length of foam having a generally annular cross section, each piece having a concave surface such that the concave surfaces adjoin to form an internal edge defining a hole within the generally annular cross section; wherein each piece has a density less than 36 kilograms per cubic meter, a product of density times average cell size that is less than 17 millimeters*kilogram per cubic meter, and a thermal conductivity of 35 milliwatts per meter*Kelvin or less.

The invention relates to a thermally insulated conduit pipe, comprising at least one medium pipe, at least one thermal insulation arranged around the medium pipe, and at least one outer jacket arranged around the thermal insulation, wherein the outer jacket possibly comprises a barrier made of plastic, and wherein the thermal insulation comprises a foam, the cell gas of which contains at least 10 vol% HFOs. Such conduit pipe has good insulating behavior, good environmental balance, and is easily producible.

A method of joining together liner sections within a polymer-lined pipe energises an induction coil inside the pipe to spot-heat part of a circumferential interface between the liner sections. This melts and fuses the polymer material locally. The induction coil is then moved along the interface to heat other parts of the interface successively above the melting temperature. An apparatus for performing the method has a power supply for energising the induction coil and a drive system for moving the energised induction coil relative to a body of the apparatus. The apparatus may be configured as a carriage that is movable along the pipe.

A composite particle includes a discrete, hollow, ceramic spheroid and a fluoropolymer layer disposed thereon. The fluoropolymer is a homopolymer or copolymer of a perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether; a perfluoroalkoxy vinyl ether; at least one fluoroolefin independently represented by formula C(R).sub.2═CF—Rf, wherein Rf is fluorine or a perfluoroalkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms and R is hydrogen, fluorine, or chlorine; or a combination thereof. Methods of making the composite particles, composite materials, and articles including them are also disclosed.

A method for forming a high temperature field joint between two insulated pipe sections, and an insulated conduit having a low temperature field joint. The conduit comprises a steel pipe with a corrosion protection coating and a pipe insulation layer comprising a polymer composition having thermal conductivity of less than about 0.40 W/mk, and/or heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C. After a circumferential weld joint is formed between the two pipes, a first field joint insulation layer is applied over the joint area, the first field joint insulation layer comprises a polymer composition having heat resistance to continuous operating temperatures from about 150° C. to above about 205° C.

The invention concerns a process and a device for laying a subsea pipeline according to the J-lay or S-lay method wherein straight sections are mounted onshore, dried and degassed then closed by plugs. The sections are loaded on a pipe-laying ship, are separated from their plugs before the welding. At the welding of each bulkhead a short pumping is operated to reduce the pressure in the part of the annulus located between the two last bulkheads and then the opening leading to the annulus are sealed.

Methods of and systems for forming pipe insulation are disclosed. The pipe insulation has properties that are non-homogenous through its thickness.

An integrity monitoring system for a lined pipeline is provided for monitoring the integrity of a polymer liner in a host pipe. Methods and apparatus are described by which a lined pipeline is provided with such an integrity monitoring system. Sensor cable is able to bridge a joint between sections at lined pipe, for example by routing the sensor cable across the joint via a channel in an electrofusion fitting or by connecting successive lengths of sensor cable via pass-throughs in an electrofusion fitting. Advantageously, the sensor cable is disposed within a continuous annulus between linings and host pipes, and the continuous annulus is maintained across pipe joints using electrofusion fittings.

Systems and methods according to one or more embodiments are provided for providing a durable and thermally insulated duct network. A duct network may be provided by coupling two or more foam ducts to each other. In one example, a system includes a plurality of foam ducts and a plurality of foam bellows configured to couple the foam ducts to each other. The foam bellows include one or more bellow folds to allow an expansion and contraction of the foam ducts. A plurality of structural fastening systems couple the duct network to a structure of a vessel. The structural fastening systems allow for an axial movement of the duct network as the foam ducts expand and contract. Additional systems and methods are also provided.