| abstract |
The present invention relates to a device for the heat insulation of at least one underwater pipe ( 1 ) intended to be laid on the sea bed at great depth, comprising an insulating coating surrounding the latter and a protective envelope ( 3 ), characterized in that said insulating coating comprises a virtually incompressible liquid/solid phase change material ( 4 ) with a melting temperature T 0 higher than that T 2 of the medium surrounding the pipe in operation and less than that T 1 of the effluents circulating in the pipe, and said material ( 4 ) preferably being impregnated in an absorbent matrix ( 2 ) surrounding the pipe ( 1 ), preferably nearest its outer surface, which protective envelope ( 3 ) is resistant and deformable and ensures a containment against and about said insulating coating. |