Stainless Steel Jacketed Pipe | Special Metal Alloys

What is a Stainless Steel Jacketed Pipe?

Stainless steel Jacketed pipework is used in specialised systems of enveloped concentric conduits that transport complex fluids, which are shear-sensitive, temperature-sensitive, or contain large particles, such as non-Newtonian, thermostatic, or magnetorheological fluids, typically used in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food, and beverage industries.

Such fluids characteristically change viscosity or react in adverse ways if subjected to pressure- or temperature changes and need to be shielded from fluctuations to monitor and control efficiency and product- and process quality.

The inner core tube of a jacketed pipe carries the sensitive process fluids, while an outer jacket tube carries heating or cooling liquid or gas media, such as steam or hot water to heat the fluid, or cold water or glycol to keep it cool.

Stainless steel jacketed pipework also helps contain potential contamination, leaks or spills of harmful substances and protects the inner core from sunlight and exposure to fire, sparks or flames. It is important to note that jacketed pipe is very different from insulated pipe-within-pipe systems and has completely different applications., although insulation is sometimes applied to jacketed pipe systems.

Jacketed pipes are made of various materials suitable for specific applications, considering a range of factors such as the chemical composition of the media and process fluids, ambient and operating temperatures and pressure, environmental conditions, and resistance to oxidation and corrosion. Most commonly though, jacket pipes are made from carbon steel, stainless steel, nickel alloys, or metals and alloys with dedicated qualities.

Other specialist components in jacketed piping systems include jacket connections, valves, control devices, heating or cooling systems, expansion joints, spiral baffles, supports, and hangers.

For more information call +44 (0)161 278 2386 or email sales@specialmetalalloys.co.uk or get a quote online.

What are the most important design and application considerations?

The following factors play a crucial role in the choice and selection of stainless steel jacketed pipework and system design:

Pipe inner- and outer diameter.
Type of material applicable to the process and media fluids.
Load bearing capacity of the structure when filled with fluids, and wind or wave loads.
The yield strength, tensile strength, collapse and burst pressure strength of the inner and outer tubes of the jacket pipe.
Compatibility of materials and components to ensure a leak-free system and prevent chemical reactions.
Potential pressure loss through bends and connections.
Temperature control, thermal expansion, thermal insulation, flow rates, and operating pressure.
Spacing and alignment of the inner core and outer jacket to allow uniform and efficient circulation of the media fluids.
Expansion loops and joints allow for expansion and contraction without impeding the performance of the piping system.

Some of the top benefits of stainless steel jacketed pipework:

Preservation of the quality of substances by maintaining a consistent temperature and viscosity in a sterile environment to solidification, degradation, chemical reactions, and contamination.
Elimination of evaporation issues and heat leaks. The process liquid is kept at a constant temperature, seals it in, and protects it against radiation and convection.
Enhanced safety and hygiene by keeping the temperature of the outer pipe constant, preventing gas or harmful liquids from leaking, making it safe to handle and transport volatile or explosive chemicals, hygienically insulating the fluids, and minimizing problems with moisture forming on exposed pipes.

Uses and applications of stainless steel jacketed pipework in various industries

Chemical industry:

Jacketed piping is used extensively in the chemical industry, in particular where precise control and uniform heat distribution are important, where chemical reactions have to be isolated from atmospheric or environmental influence, and as an aid for heating and cooling processes.

Petrochemical industry:

Jacketed piping plays a pivotal role in controlling the temperatures of fluids during the refining process to prevent crystallization and adverse chemical reactions, control the viscosity of oils, and maintain the temperature of fluids like bitumen, heavy oils, and various chemicals.

Oil and Gas Industry:

They are involved in maintaining the required fluid conditions for optimal extraction, transportation, and processing of hydrocarbons.

Pharmaceutical industry:

Jacketed piping systems help ensure consistent and precisely controlled conditions for chemical reactions, develop and produce various pharmaceutical products and medications, and prevent solidification or crystallisation, and degradation of the raw materials.

Jacketed systems also help maintain the exceptional hygienic conditions required to prevent contamination or bacterial growth.

Biotechnology:

Absolute consistency of atmospheric conditions, fluid viscosity, and a sterile environment are essential when replicating chemical reactions while creating or modifying biological products or plant life, biofuels, and conducting experiments with living organisms. Jacketed systems help achieve this by strictly controlling viscosity, temperatures and pressures, especially with the frequent use of sensitive fluids like liquid oxygen, cryogenic fluids, and liquid helium in this industry.

Food and Beverage:

Precise temperatures are required to control fermentation processes and food processing, including the customary use of liquid nitrogen.

Jacket piping is also essential for the production and movement of temperature-sensitive food types like dairy, chocolate or honey, and for maintaining a completely hygienic production environment.

High-Temperature Applications:

Jacketed pipework is widely used in high-temperature applications, such as in the production and transportation of steel, refractory materials, and high-temperature liquids.

What are the main types of jacket pipes?

Stainless steel jacket pipes with different textures and shapes:

For different applications, it is possible to obtain jacket pipes with different textures, such as smooth to enhance optimal flow, or dimples, cavities, or channels with a larger inner surface area, to enhance heat transfer.

A bow cross-section of 90 to 180 ° in jacket pipes increases the heating and cooling capacity and reduces the overall weight.

Helical or coiled jacket pipes are used to introduce a swirl in the flow, slow down the flow and allow more heat to be conducted.

Rigid jacket pipes:

Rigid pipes are stronger and designed to withstand greater pressure loads, but cannot absorb movement.

Flexible jacket hose:

Flexible jacket hoses are made from more elastic materials and do not have the same inherent strength, but can be used where installation issues, vibration, or movement come into play.

Three-walled jacket pipes:

For specialised applications where high precision of constant temperature, viscosity, and texture are required without any external interference, three-walled jacketed pipes are used. The inner core carries the product fluid (for instance syrup), the middle pipe carries the medium fluid (such as hot water) and the outer pipe encases sterile insulation (such as vermiculite) which will not contaminate the fluid or environment.

Continuous jacketing:

Straight lengths of pipes with flanges, fittings, valves, clamps, and branch connections which are all completely enveloped in jacketing.

Discontinuous jacketing:

Only the straight pipe lengths are enveloped in jacketing, not the components. This category also includes partial jacketing, which covers the core pipe only in sections where uniform temperatures are required.

Vacuum jacketed piping:

When transporting cryogenic liquids over long distances, a vacuum-jacketed pipe is used. This means the inner pipe is wrapped in super-insulating materials and with a vacuum between the insulation and the outer jacket to prevent heat transfer.

Contact us for a quote online, call +44 (0)161 278 2386 or email sales@specialmetalalloys.co.uk