Should correction factors be taken into account when calculating the insulation thickness?
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In accordance with GB50264-2013 \"Code for Design of Insulation Engineering of Industrial Equipment and Piping\", there are three methods for calculating the insulation thickness: the economic thickness method, the dew prevention method, and the maximum allowable heat loss method. However, in practice, the calculations are usually carried out using the dew prevention method and the maximum allowable heat loss method. According to this standard, the value of D1ln(D1/D0) must be used to determine the δ value from the relationship chart in Appendix D of the standard – namely, the D1ln(D1/D0)～δ chart – after which it is multiplied by the insulation thickness correction factor K. The result obtained is the final total thickness of the insulation material that should be used. However, based on my several years of experience in the insulation industry, hardly any insulation supplier takes this correction factor into account when determining the required insulation thickness. In fact, most suppliers do not use the calculation methods specified in GB50264-2013; instead, they quote prices and carry out work based on their own empirical values for insulation thickness. I’m a bit confused here and would like to ask: whether, regardless of the insulation material used, the correction factor K must be taken into account when calculating the insulation thickness?
The same question: I am also currently calculating the heat insulation requirements, and this coefficient ranges between 1.2 and 1.4. This can sometimes result in the required insulation thickness increasing from 40 to 60, which has a significant impact.
I consulted those in the design firm who work with piping materials; they generally also need to multiply by this coefficient and then round up. It is usually recommended to use 1.2 when the value falls between 1.2 and 1.4, rounding up to the nearest whole number.