Insulation for VRF/VRV HVAC Systems Variable Refrigerant Flow(VRF) and Variable Refrigerant Volume(VRV) System Insulation Needs
Well Sealed, Skill/Detail High Level of Craftsmanship Complete Insulation Envelope All Parts Installation Longevity High Volume of Small Pipe Sizes, Thick Walls Unique Fitting Configurations Higher Service Temperature Excellent Moisture Resistance Flexibility Non-Corrosive Resistance to Weathering Superior Fire Resistance Sustainable Construction VRF/VRV System Insulation Installation Needs
VRF/VRV Systems Condensate Drain and Refrigeration Piping Insulation Requirements Manufacturer Service Upper Service Temperature Lower Service Temperature Thickness, Minimum Thickness, Maximum Types Mentioned Carrier(Toshiba) Cond. Drain N/A N/A.4" N/A Polyethylene Refrigerant Pipe 248 F N/A N/A N/A -- Local Code N/A Daikin Cond. Drain NONE NONE NONE NONE NO MENTION Refrigerant Pipe 248 F 30 F 1/2", 3/4" Conflicts N/A -- Local Code Fiberglass, Poly Fujitsu Cond. Drain NO MENTION NO MENTION NO MENTION NO MENTION NO MENTION Refrigerant Pipe 248 F 3/8" 1" LG Cond. Drain N/A N/A N/A N/A As Necessary Refrigerant Pipe 248 F/227 F -4 F 1/2" 1" Closed-Cell/EPDM Mitsubishi Cond. Drain N/A N/A 3/8" N/A Polyethylene Refrigerant Pipe 212 F N/A 3/8", 1/2" 3/4" or more Fiberglass, Poly Samsung Cond. Drain NON-SPECIFIC N/A N/A N/A NON-SPECIFIC Refrigerant Pipe 248 F N/A 3/8" 1-1/2" EPDM Toshiba Cond. Drain N/A N/A.4" Polyethylene Refrigerant Pipe 248 F N/A N/A N/A -- Local Code N/A Trane(Samsung) Cond. Drain NON-SPECIFIC N/A N/A N/A NON-SPECIFIC Refrigerant Pipe 248 F N/A 3/8" 1-1/2" EPDM VRF/VRV Manufacturers Insulation Requirements
VRF System Insulation Code Requirements
503.2.8 Piping insulation. All piping serving as part of a heating or cooling system shall be thermally insulated in accordance with Table 503.2.8. Exceptions: 1. Factory-installed piping within HVAC equipment tested and rated in accordance with a test procedure referenced by this code. 2. Factory-installed piping within room fancoils and unit ventilators tested and rated according to AHRI 440 (except that the sampling and variation provisions of Section 6.5 shall not apply) and 840, respectively. 3. Piping that conveys fluids that have a design operating temperature range between 55 F (13 C) and 105 F (41 C). 4. Piping that conveys fluids that have not been heated or cooled through the use of fossil fuels or electric power. 5. Runout piping not exceeding 4 feet (1219 mm) in length and 1 inch (25 mm) in diameter between the control valve and HVAC coil. NOMINAL PIPE DIAMETER FLUID 1.5 > 1.5 Steam 1-1/2 3 Hot water 1-1/2 2 Chilled water Brine Refrigerant 1-1/2 1-1/2 VRF/VRV Systems Insulation International Energy Conservation Code 2009
403.2.10 Piping insulation. All piping serving as part of a heating or cooling system shall be thermally insulated in accordance with Table 403.2.10. Exceptions: 1. Factory-installed piping within HVAC equipment tested and rated in accordance with a test procedure referenced by this code. 2. Factory-installed piping within room fan-coils and unit ventilators tested and rated according to AHRI 440 (except that the sampling and variation provisions of Section 6.5 shall not apply) and 840, respectively. 3. Piping that conveys fluids that have a design operating temperature range between 60 F (15 C) and 105 F (41 C). 4. Piping that conveys fluids that have not been heated or cooled through the use of fossil fuels or electric power. 5. Strainers, control valves and balancing valves associated with piping 1 inch (25mm) or less in diameter Fluid Operating Temperature Range and Usage ( F) TABLE C 403.2.10 MINIMUM PIPE INSULATION THICKNESS ( in inches) a,c Conductivity Btu in./(hr. ft 2 F) b Insulation Conductivity Mean Rating Temperature F < 1 Nominal Pipe or Tube Size (inches) < 1 to 1-1/2 1-1/2 to < 4 > 350.32 -.34 250 4.5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 251-350.29 -.32 200 3.0 4.0 4.5 4.5 4.5 201-250.27 -.30 150 2.5 2.5 2.5 3.0 3.0 141-200.25 -.29 125 1.5 1.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 105-140.21 -.28 100 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.5 40-60.21 -.27 75 0.5 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 < 40.20 -.26 50 0.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.5 4 to < 8 > 8 International Energy Conservation Code 2015
Copper Aluminum Flexible Composite Copper Line Set VRF/VRV Piping Systems
Corrosion Under Insulation(CUI) External Stress Corrosion Cracking(ESCC)
How Does CUI and ESCC Happen? Corrosion Under Insulation usually results from the ingress of water (or other types of corrosive solvents) into the insulation Insulation can contain corrosive chemicals which turn to acidic substances, especially under heat or combustion. Microorganisms can cause microbial corrosion. Some microorganisms oxidize iron into iron oxides or iron hydroxides, forming rust. Some microorganisms emit chemically-polar acids that damage both metal surfaces and the insulation itself. Contaminants in the plant environment can accelerate corrosion. Corrosion Under Insulation(CUI) External Stress Corrosion Cracking(ESCC)
How To Avoid CUI and ESCC Design, install, and maintain insulation systems to minimize ponding water or penetration of water into the system. Insulation should be appropriate for its intended application and service temperature. The insulation characteristics with the most influence on CUI are: (1) water-leachable salt content in insulation -- chloride, sulfate, and acidic materials in fire retardants and processing aids (2) water retention, permeability, and wettability of the insulation (3) foams containing residual compounds that react with water to form hydrochloric or other acids. Corrosion Under Insulation(CUI) External Stress Corrosion Cracking(ESCC)
MATERIAL PROPERTY Aerocel EPDM PIR Phenolic NBR/PVC Fiberglass Polyethylene PUBLISHED DATA Thermal Conductivity 0.245 0.19 0.15.25/.28 0.235 0.25 Upper Service Temp. 257 F/300 F 300 F 257 F 180 F/220 F 850/1000 F 190 F Lower Service Temp -297 F -297 F -297 F -297 F 0 F -330 F Water Vapor Perm. 0.03 4 2.05/.08 Unlimited 0.02 Water Absorbtion <.2% <.7% 0.9% 0.2% UNKNOWN UNKNOWN Flame/Smoke 25/50 25/450 25/50 25/50 25/50 25/50 Self-Extinguishing Y N N N UNKNOWN N Significant HCN/HCl N/N Y/Y Y/Y Y/Y N/N N/N Weather/UV Resistant Y N N N N N Additional Finishes N Y Y Y Y Y Close Cell Content 100% 90% 95% 92% 0 100% Flexibility Y N N Y N SEMI Corrosiveness N Y Y Y Y UNKNOWN ID's 1/4" - 16" 1/4" - 12" 1/4" - 12" 1/4" - 8" 5/8"- 30" 3/8" - 4" Thickness 3" 6" 6" 2" 3" 1" MAX VRF Insulation Material Comparisons
No or Improper Seam Closure No or Poor Fitting Insulation Don t SLIDE! No or Poor Anchoring Device (Hanger) Insulation Stretching Insulation No Spacing Between Pipes No Vapor Stopping Improper Termination at Equipment No Protective Finish When Required VRF System Insulation Biggest Failure Points
No or Improper Seam Closure VRF/VRV Insulation System Biggest Problems/Failures
No or Poor Fitting Insulation Don t SLIDE! VRF/VRV Insulation System Biggest Problems/Failures
No or Poor Anchoring Insulation Improper Support at Anchor Locations Tight Pipe Rack Spacing VRF/VRV Insulation System Biggest Problems/Failures
Support at Hangers ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, Chapter 23 Mechanical Insulation When avoiding compression of low compressive-strength insulation products is the goal, it is recommended that highstrength insulation inserts, made of a product that offers the desired compressive strength and other necessary performance properties, be used. Note that the old method of using wood blocks instead of a high strength insulation insert is not recommended, especially for cold pipe systems. Other higher strength materials that are not thermal insulation material and interrupt the insulation envelope, or do not allow complete sealing of an insulation system against water vapor ingress, are not recommended for the support of insulated piping on pipe hangers. Piping Support
No Protective Finish When Required VRF/VRV Insulation System Biggest Problems/Failures
BEST K-Value at 0.245; Deliver Lower Energy Costs than Others BEST UV Resistance; Save on First Cost and Long Term Ownership Cost BEST Self-Sealed System (SSPT with Cel-Link II); Reduce Installation Costs, Gets Projects Done, Meets LVOC Needs BEST Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR),.03 Perms; Maintain Energy Savings, Avoids Mold Growth, Enhances System Life BEST Service Temperature for ASTM C 534 Type I Grade 1, +257 F (300 F Non-SSPT); Widest Range of Applications Superior Fire Safety Properties; Meets and exceeds life safety requirements Stays Flexible in Cold Weather; Keep Job Costs in Check, Keep Installers Working Low Halogens Content; Avoid Cost from External Stress Corrosion Cracking (ESCC) on Stainless Steel or Copper Tubing The Aerocel Oranges Advantages of EPDM Insulation
NBR/PVC = Polar Material (Atomically Charged) Less Stable Deteriorates with the application of energy through: - Chemical reaction -- As with water, ozone, or other solvents - Heat energy As applied by mechanical systems or environment - Light Energy UV light highly detrimental EPDM = Non-Polar Material (Atomically Neutral) Highly Stable No reactivity because of balanced atomic structure Polar vs. Non-Polar (NBR/PVC vs. EPDM)
Wall Thicknesses 3/8, ½, ¾, 1, 1-1/2, 2 ID Range ¼ ID through 16 ID ASHRAE 90.1-2010 Cooling Mostly 1 thick, Some ½ Heating 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 Thick IECC 2009 1-1/2 Thick for All Building Space Conditioning Refrigeration Piping, including Heating Mode IECC 2012/2015 Cooling Mostly 1 thick, Some ½ Heating 1-1/2 and 2-1/2 Thick Aerocel EPDM Elastomeric is Supplied in the Best Size Offering
Aerocel AC and Aerocel SSPT with Cel-Link II(Video) Aerofix -U AeroFit Aeroseal Adhesive Protape Aerocel with SaniGuard VRF System Insulation Installation Solutions
The Hermetic System EPDM-BASED HIGH-PERFORMANCE AEROCEL Sealed Including PROPER Vapor Stopping No Compression Correct Anchoring No Sliding Fittings ID/Thicknesses Non Corrosive VRF/VRV Key Points Of Installation
Thank You for Your Time Aerocel The Right Elastomeric Insulation for VRF/VRV Systems