Balmoral FlowthermTM and Balmoral FlowthermPlusTM are gel-based thixotropic systems that provide insulation and buoyancy in a variety of subsea applications.
Balmoral Offshore Engineering has developed two grades of Flowtherm that combine the advantages of a pumpable liquid with the insulation properties typically found in rigid solid polymer and syntactic systems.
Balmoral Flowtherm and Balmoral FlowthermPlus are thermally and rheologically stable systems. Being non-volatile, they will not evaporate or dry out under normal operating conditions and, due to their thixotropy characteristics, will not float or wash away should the outer container become damaged.
Balmoral Flowtherm and Balmoral FlowthermPlus systems will not pour or flow under their own weight, making it impossible for damaging convection currents to arise within the insulation. Flowtherm exhibits major shear thinning, which allows ready pumping; immediately after pumping shear ceases, the thixotropy is re-established.
Balmoral Flowtherm is a glass microsphere-filled system, designed for operating temperatures to 90ºC with wet exposure, and water depths to 3000msw. Independent testing has demonstrated that Balmoral Flowtherm will suffer minimal hydrostatic compression during a typical 20 year service life.
Balmoral FlowthermPlus is an unfilled system, designed for operating temperatures in excess of 120ºC, and service depths to 7000msw.
Balmoral Flowtherm systems can be installed using a variety of positive displacement pumps and are supplied in 205 litre drums or 1000 litre totes.
Applications
Pipe in pipe, doghouses, retrofit buoyancy installation and many others.
