A filled trench is disclosed. The filled trench comprises: a pair of conduits (3a, 3b) for delivering fluid with a different temperature in each of the conduits (3a, 3b), the pair of conduits (3a, 3b) being surrounded by filling material; a first section (5a) filled with a filling material of a first type (4a), wherein the first filled section (5a) of the filled trench occupies a space in between the pair of conduits (3a, 3b); and a second section (5b) filled with a filling material of a second type (4b). The filling material of the first type (4a) has a first thermal conduction coefficient and the filling material of a second type (4b) has a higher second thermal conduction coefficient. Further, a method for filling such a filled trench is disclosed.

In a method for setting up a pipeline section of a pipe system in a heat network, which is provided for transferring a heat transfer fluid between a heat provider and a heat consumer, the pipeline section is subdivided into segments in a segmentation step. A segment characteristic variable is determined for each segment based on a physical soil characteristic variable. The determined segment characteristic variables of two adjacent segments differ by more than a predefined segment characteristic variable difference value. In a bedding determination step, segment embedding of a pipeline segment, introduced in the trench in this segment, in a water-permeable segment bedding material is predefined for each segment such that a heat loss of the heat transfer fluid transferred in the pipeline segment, which is averaged over the segment and is based on a unit of length, is lower than a predefined heat loss limit value.

In a method for setting up a pipeline section of a pipe system in a heat network, which is provided for transferring a heat transfer fluid between a heat provider and a heat consumer, the pipeline section is subdivided into segments in a segmentation step. A segment characteristic variable is determined for each segment based on a physical soil characteristic variable. The determined segment characteristic variables of two adjacent segments differ by more than a predefined segment characteristic variable difference value. In a bedding determination step, segment embedding of a pipeline segment, introduced in the trench in this segment, in a water-permeable segment bedding material is predefined for each segment such that a heat loss of the heat transfer fluid transferred in the pipeline segment, which is averaged over the segment and is based on a unit of length, is lower than a predefined heat loss limit value.

A method for forming a sleeve for wrapping around and insulating a joint of a downhole tubing string is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a mold, applying insulation around the mold, winding an interfacing material around the insulation; and applying a polymer onto the interfacing material to bind to the interfacing material to form the sleeve.

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.

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.

This disclosure relates to a method for the in-situ encapsulation and/or insulation of piping using silicone-based compositions such as liquid silicone rubber materials and/or silicone foams. The method is useful for encapsulation and/or insulation of underground piping, particularly underground piping carrying high temperature (e.g., >120° C.) fluids, such as steam. The in-situ encapsulation and/or insulation may be done by inserting a hose into a pipe cavity so that a first end of the hose is remotely positioned next to the pipe and a second end of the hose is attached to a pumping system. A silicone composition is pumped through the hose and into the cavity surrounding from the remote first end of the tubing at a first predefined rate, and the hose is gradually withdrawn from the cavity at a second predefined rate. The silicone material is allowed to cure and become rigid, thereby encapsulating and/or insulating the pipe.

This disclosure relates to a method for the in-situ encapsulation and/or insulation of piping using silicone-based compositions such as liquid silicone rubber materials and/or silicone foams. The method is useful for encapsulation and/or insulation of underground piping, particularly underground piping carrying high temperature (e.g., >120° C.) fluids, such as steam. The in-situ encapsulation and/or insulation may be done by inserting a hose into a pipe cavity so that a first end of the hose is remotely positioned next to the pipe and a second end of the hose is attached to a pumping system. A silicone composition is pumped through the hose and into the cavity surrounding from the remote first end of the tubing at a first predefined rate, and the hose is gradually withdrawn from the cavity at a second predefined rate. The silicone material is allowed to cure and become rigid, thereby encapsulating and/or insulating the pipe.

An insulated tubular assembly includes jointed insulated tubing segments, all with inner and outer tubes concentrically disposed about in order to define a vacuum annulus in between and closed at both ends by annular bridges. Insulated tubing segment are provided with either male or female threads to threadably engage and form a joint directly with each other or through a coupling jointed to adjacent insulated tubing segments. An insulating sleeve held around such joint includes a first tubular shell adapted to cover at least part of one insulated tubular segment and a second tubular shell overlapping either internally or externally part of the first tubular shell, such that the second tubular shell extends axially about the threaded joint from one annular bridge to the adjacent one, with high tolerances on lengths of the insulated tubing segment extension extending beyond their respective annular bridges.

An insulated tubular assembly includes jointed insulated tubing segments, all with inner and outer tubes concentrically disposed about in order to define a vacuum annulus in between and closed at both ends by annular bridges. Insulated tubing segment are provided with either male or female threads to threadably engage and form a joint directly with each other or through a coupling jointed to adjacent insulated tubing segments. An insulating sleeve held around such joint includes a first tubular shell adapted to cover at least part of one insulated tubular segment and a second tubular shell overlapping either internally or externally part of the first tubular shell, such that the second tubular shell extends axially about the threaded joint from one annular bridge to the adjacent one, with high tolerances on lengths of the insulated tubing segment extension extending beyond their respective annular bridges.