A pipeline shield is formed of modular pipeline shield panels into a generally tubular shape to fittingly envelope a pipeline. Each panel is formed of a rectangular sheet of durable material formed or formable into an arcuate shape having longitudinal ribs projecting radially from a surface of the sheet and defining longitudinal valleys, and coupling means configured for secure assembly with other modular pipeline shield panels to form the pipeline shield. The pipeline shield reduces or prevents damage from impact or abrasion when the pipeline is lowered into a trench and buried. The longitudinal ribs may extend an entire length of the panel, or may be less than an entire length of the panel and longitudinally staggered to facilitate rolling of the pipeline in a roller cradle during installation. Drainage holes provide for drainage of liquid away from the pipeline or to provide a path for cathodic protection current.

A method of manufacturing an insulator is provided. The insulator includes a lower member and an upper member. The lower member is placed as a second flange of the lower member is fixed in position. The upper member is then disposed on the lower member as the second flange of the upper member is fixed in position. Accordingly, the first flange of the upper member and the first flange of the lower member abut each other, and the second flange of the upper member and the second flange of the lower member abut each other. Then, the first flange of the upper member and the first flange of the lower member are swaged, and then the second flange of the upper member and the second flange of the lower member are swaged.

A method for producing an insulation product may include providing an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution may include coarse glass fibers, glass microfibers, aerogel particles, and a binder. The coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may be uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution and may form a slurry. The method may further include removing at least a portion of water from the slurry such that the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may form a wet laid mixture. The method may also include curing the wet laid mixture to cure the binder and bond the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, and the aerogel particles together to form a fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite. The fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite may include between about 50 wt. % and about 75 wt. % of the aerogel particles.

A thermal disinfection system, and related of method of use and manufacture, is implemented with a liquid-carrying conduit associated with a given plumbing system applicable with a given environment. The thermal disinfection system may include a heating device configured for thermal contact with at least a portion of the liquid-carrying conduit, thereby defining a thermal contact region of the liquid-carrying conduit. Additionally, a thermal insulating layer may disposed on the heating device. The heating device may be configured to heat (or heat and dry) a lumen defined by the liquid-carrying conduit along the thermal contact region (in whole or in part) to a specified temperature to prevent (e.g., suppress) or inhibit (e.g., reduce) microbial activity from advancing through the lumen defined by the liquid-carrying conduit.

A shield for a component comprises a cushion surrounding substantially an entire outer surface of the component and a hull surrounding substantially an entire outer surface of said cushion. The hull comprises at least one first shell, at least one edge of which is shaped as a first profile bent substantially in a shape of a U or a V toward an outside relative to the component, and at least one second shell, at least one edge of which, opposite said at least one edge of the at least one first shell, is molded according to a second profile bent substantially in a shape of a U or V toward an inside relative to the component. At least one edge of the first shell is able to be assembled to said at least one edge of the second shell by hooking of the first profile with the second profile.

The present disclosure provides insulated components that include corrugated regions, which corrugated regions may reside on inner tubes, outer tubes, or both. The present disclosure also provides insulated components that may achieve straight, curved, or other variable geometries.

A method protects a field joint of a pipeline, where chamfered edges of thermally-insulating parent coatings on conjoined pipe lengths are in mutual opposition about a longitudinally-extending gap. The method includes manufacturing an hourglass-shaped inner layer around the pipe lengths, which layer may be moulded. The inner layer extends longitudinally along the gap between the chamfered edges and at least partially overlies the chamfered edges. A thermally-insulating solid insert is assembled from two or more parts to lie in the gap surrounding the inner layer, and pressure is applied radially inwardly from the insert to the inner layer. An outer layer of molten material is manufactured around the insert to form a watertight barrier and to form one or more melted interfaces with the inner layer. Corresponding field joint arrangements are also disclosed.

A pipe coupling for coupling a first pipe to a second pipe wherein a gap exists between a first pipe end and a second pipe end. The pipe coupling includes a tubular insert configured to fit within the gap and match an inside diameter and outside diameter of the pipes, thereby providing a through-butt joint between the insert and the pipes. The pipe coupling also includes a half-tubular first fitting section and a half-tubular second fitting section, configured to snap-lock and form a tubular shape over the insert, the first pipe end and the second pipe end. In some embodiments, the insert is integral with the fitting sections.

A method for producing an insulation product may include providing an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution may include coarse glass fibers, glass microfibers, aerogel particles, and a binder. The coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may be uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution and may form a slurry. The method may further include removing at least a portion of water from the slurry such that the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, the aerogel particles, and the binder may form a wet laid mixture. The method may also include curing the wet laid mixture to cure the binder and bond the coarse glass fibers, the glass microfibers, and the aerogel particles together to form a fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite. The fiberglass reinforced aerogel composite may include between about 50 wt. % and about 75 wt. % of the aerogel particles.

An insulating insert is positioned around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint. The insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular filler segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link. The links may be webs, rods or articulated links. The links are flexible relative to the segments to facilitate bending of the insert along its length by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series.