INTUMESCENT POLYMER INSULATION FOR SUBMARINE PIPING SYSTEMS

WE PROPOSE TO DEVELOP A NEW CLASS OF INSULATION THAT MEETS THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CURRENTLY USED POLYPHOSPHAZENE FORAM INSULATION WHILE BEING MORE ECONOMICAL, AND PROVIDING IMPROVED FIRE PERFORMANCE. OUR TECHNICAL APPROACH COMBINES THREE ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES TO PRODUCE AN INNOVATIVE INSULATION THAT IS IDEAL FOR SUBMARINES, AS WELL AS A VARIETY OF OTHER SHIPBOARD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS. THESE KEY TECHNOLOGIES INCLUDE SILICONE OR POLYIMIDE POLYMERS, INTUMESCENT ADDITIVES AND MICROCELLULAR FOAMING PROCESSES. IN FIRE CONDITIONS OUR PROPOSED INTUMESCENT POLYMER INSULATION (IPI) PRODUCES LOW LEVELS OF SMOKE AND VIRTUALLY NO TOXIC GASSES. THE INTUMESCENT OUTER LAYER WHEN EXPOSED TO INTENSE HEAT EXPANDS INTO A TOUGH, DURABLE CHAR THAT INSULATES THE UNDERLYING INSULATION AND PIP. THIS FEATURE PROVIDES CREW MEMBERS WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT AND ADDITIONAL TIME TO TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION BEFORE A SYSTEM FAILURE CAN OCCUR. THE MICROCELLULAR CONSTRUCTION PROVIDES THE OPTIMUM IN THERMAL INSULATION PROPERTIES WITH MINIMUM LEVELS OF POLYMER. THE RESULTING PRODUCT IS HIGHLY EFFICIENT, VERY LOW IN WEIGHT AND EASY TO INSTALL.