Hello All,

Do any of my fellow olde tymers have weight (or density) data for the various types of asbestos insulation that was used on power plant high energy piping systems in the past?

The Piping Hanbook, Fifth Edition, says the range is between 17 and 40 pounds per cubic foot, but Johns Manville people tell me it is about the same as Cal-Sil (I don't believe it).

This becomes important when a plant gets into asbestos abatement and replaces all their old asbestos insulation with the new stuff - the spring hangers have to be reset or replaced.

Thanks in advance for the data.

Best regards, John.

John,
The Fan Handbook from Buffalo Forge, edited originally by Dr.W.H. Carrier, has some numbers for asbestos insulation. Molded amosite with binder is given as 15-18 lb/ft3 density, which brackets the CAESARII value of 16 lb/ft3 for asbestos. The handbook also gives values for corrugated-laminated asbestos paper 4 ply (11-13 lb/ft3), 6 ply (15-17 lb/ft3) , and 8 ply (18-20 lb/ft3). Basic laminated paper density of 30 lb/ft3 gives an upper boundary value for the density of asbestos insulation. Densities for asbestos rope packing and gaskets have densities 60 to 140 lb/ft3 for dense material needing to seal. The type and amount of binder adds much to the density of raw asbestos. Another resource for density values might be the asbestos abatement contractors (Chryatech ?).
Remember to watch decimal point when inputting densities as lbs/IN3 for CAESARII. Otherwise the insulation will be heavier than the pipe, and will fall down from the supports! (And I wondered why there was over-stress condition.)
Regards, Richard Yee

Thanks Richard, I appreciate the data and the "words of wisdom". I assume that CAESAR II will calculate the uniform weight of insulation as a function of the pipe OD and specified insulation thickness. But that will just apply the weight of the insulation alone.

To give this thread new life, let me pose this question: what do y'all do to to include appropriate weight for cladding, insulation "hangers", and other such "associated" weight. I have always added (depending upon pipe size) between five percent and ten percent of the insulation weight (e.g., multiply the CAESAR II insulation weight by, say, 1.05 - and put that number in as pounds per cubic inch). I don't think I am far wrong with this but I wonder what the rest of the community does.

Has anybody written anything in the Coade news letter on this subject?

Regards, John.

The approximation of 5.0% seems good enough however if you fancy accurracy down to the last digit. U can apply the insulation measurement standard used for measuerment of erection Qty, readily available with insulation contractors and Supervisors.
Sorry John to get to you thru this thread but i could not think of any better way to draw your attention to question posted by me.

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supports / 23-10-2003 / CaesarII


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