Abstract: The heat loss of steam pipelines in petrochemical enterprises is tremendous. Five experiment schemes with different thermal insulation structures were proposed based on the selection of thermal insulation material and structure and the calculation of economic thermal insulation thickness. The industrial experiment was carried out on the medium pressure steam pipeline in a branch of Sinopec. The results showed that the economic thermal insulation thickness, double-layer thermal insulation structure and composite thermal insulation structure can reduce the heat loss compared to the former insulation structure. The aerogel blankets can effectively reduce the thickness of insulation layer and improve the efficiency of pipeline arrangement. This research provides guidance for the thermal insulation of steam pipelines in petrochemical industry

Key words: Steam pipeline, Thermal insulation and energy saving, Economic thickness, Thermal insulation material