Welcome to the
CUI Defense Zone

Wondering how to defend against CUI and the problems that wet insulation creates? You're in the right place.

Pyrogel^® for CUI Defense

Thermal aerogel blanket insulation that's engineered to keep your assets drier for longer, preventing CUI and protecting processes.

Success Stories

The right choice of thermal insulation plays an enormous role in the fight against CUI. Getting it right saves both time and money over the life of your assets. See how others got it right.

Read. Watch. Learn.

You Have Questions?
We Have Answers.

We've assembled a list of frequently asked CUI defense questions from our many years of in field experience.

WELCOME TO ASPEN AEROGELS’ CUI DEFENSE ZONE

If you’re wondering how to defend against CUI and combat the costly problems that it creates, you should know that your choice of insulation is critical. Wet insulation not only causes CUI, but can also result in unplanned downtime, higher steam demands, process instability, safety incidents, sub-optimal yields, lower production rates, and a host of other negative impacts to your facility. Get it right and you’ll prevent CUI while saving time and money over the life of your assets. Read on to explore our CUI defense capabilities and solutions.

Just want to chat with an expert about your CUI defense needs? We're here to help.

Pyrogel for CUI Defense

Pyrogel is a flexible, high-performance, silica aerogel blanket insulation designed for use in high temperature industrial and commercial applications. Engineered to deliver superior thermal performance while offering excellent protection against CUI, hydrophobic, breathable Pyrogel ensures long-lasting water resistance for both the insulation layer and underlying assets. Proven to maintain performance in the harshest of environments, Pyrogel keeps your assets drier for longer, preserving process conditions, and saving energy. This is why industry leaders choose Pyrogel for CUI defense.

Simplified Maintenance.

Jacketing damage – and, therefore, CUI – is often found near frequently serviced flanges. Pyrogel’s robust thermal efficiency and thin profile can provide a finished diameter that is smaller than the flange’s bolt circle—enabling insulators to run right up to the flange face, and operators to service exchangers, vessel heads, and piping connections—without damaging the adjacent insulation.

Chemical Corrosion Mitigation.

While eliminating moisture-against-metal is the first line of defense in any CUI prevention strategy, corrosion inhibitors can be a useful backup. Pyrogel is designed with corrosion inhibitors, so that water entering the system will be buffered to a pH > 7 for carbon steel. In addition, Pyrogel is in the “acceptable” range of the Karn’s Curve (C795) for Austenitic Stainless Steel, and is suitable for use in systems including stainless steel materials.

Process Stability: Lower Steam Generation Costs

SITE: South American Petrochemical Complex

Persistently wet insulation resulted in aggressive corrosion under insulation (CUI) on a high-pressure steam line. Massive heat loss during rain events led to steam sheds and process shutdowns. Pyrogel® was selected to replace water absorbent mineral wool and calcium silicate insulation. Now, Pyrogel keeps the steam line dry and operating efficiently, supporting downstream process stability, process efficiency, and energy savings in even the most challenging environment.

BENEFIT: Approximately $1,300,000 in annual energy savings was achieved through the avoidance of degraded insulation.

Faster Application: Support Earlier Unit Restarts

SITE: Coastal Petrochemical Facility in South Asia

Coastal Petrochemical Facility in South Asia Pyrogel and Cryogel^® Z were selected to re-insulate a South Asian petrochemical complex. High levels of rainfall and an exposed coastal site led to devastating CUI, requiring a total strip, treat and re-insulation program.

BENEFIT: By keeping their assets drier for longer, the facility reduced its risk of CUI while improving process stability and lowering operating costs.

Coastal sites are kept dry and CUI-free with Pyrogel. Contact us to discover how Pyrogel can optimize your facility's processes and lower operating costs.

Faster Application: Sustained Thermal Protection

SITE: Aluminium Refinery in Australia

Pyrogel was selected for heat conservation service in an aluminum refinery using the tube digestion process. An aggressive environment and process conditions led to accelerated CUI under the incumbent mineral wool, despite the 300°C process. Pyrogel’s sustained thermal protection in a challenging environment supports better process control, reduced energy costs and maintenance interventions.

BENEFIT: Site management can now focus on operational performance without fear of process instability during rain events.

Contact us to discover how using Pyrogel can act as your facility's umbrella, keeping assets dry and processes stable during weather events.

What is Pyrogel?

Pyrogel is a super-efficient insulation material based on aerogel technology. Pyrogel offers industry leading thermal insulating properties, and it has been engineered to offer superior protection in CUI service conditions.

What is the difference between Pyrogel and other mechanical insulations when it comes to CUI defense?

Simply put, Pyrogel is far superior at keeping your process dry.
Corrosion only occurs in a wet environment. The implication of wetness on insulation selection is well summarized in section 2.1.2.1 of NACE Standard SP0198 Control of Corrosion Under Thermal Insulation and Fireproofing Materials:

“Because CUI is a product of wet metal exposure duration, the insulation system that holds the least amount of water and dries most quickly should result in the least amount of corrosion damage to equipment.”

How does Pyrogel keep the process dry?