Insulation and methods of insulating

A method of insulating a pipeline comprising:

• delivering an insulation panel to the pipeline, the insulation panel comprising:
• one or more pieces of compressible fiberglass insulation material having an R value per inch of thickness from about 2 to about 10 hr-sq ft-deg F./Btu measured at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein the insulation material is configured to return substantially back to its original thickness and density after being compressed;
• and
• a coated fabric cover encasing the one or more pieces of insulation material, wherein the coated fabric cover has a weight from about 5 to about 40 oz/sq yd, and wherein the coated fabric cover comprises a first fastening portion disposed along a first end of the insulation panel and a second fastening portion disposed between the first end and a second end of the insulation panel;
• attaching one or more elongated flexible members to the first fastening portion;
• tossing the one or more elongated flexible members over the top of the pipeline;
• using the one or more elongated flexible members to pull the insulation panel over the top of the pipeline such that the insulation panel is draped over the top of the pipeline;
• overlapping the first end of the insulation panel with the second end of the insulation panel, and
• attaching the first fastening portion to the second fastening portion to secure the coated fabric cover of the insulation panel around the pipeline.

A pipeline, comprising:

• a pipe;
• insulation disposed around the pipe;
• a hard outer shell that encases the insulation disposed around the pipe;
• and
• a plurality of insulation panels secured around the hard outer shell that encases the insulation disposed around the pipe, wherein at least one of the plurality of insulation panels comprises:
• one or more pieces of compressible fiberglass insulation material having an R value per inch of thickness from about 2 to about 10 hr-sq ft-deg F./Btu measured at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein the insulation material is configured to return substantially back to its original thickness and density after being compressed;
• and
• a coated fabric cover encasing the one or more pieces of insulation material, wherein the coated fabric cover has a weight from about 5 to about 40 oz/sq yd, and wherein the coated fabric cover comprises a first fastening portion disposed along a first end of the insulation panel and a second fastening portion disposed between the first end and a second end of the insulation panel;
• and
• wherein attachment of the first fastening portion to the second fastening portion secures the coated fabric cover around the hard outer shell.

An insulation panel for adding insulation to a pipeline having an existing insulation system that comprises insulation disposed around a pipe of the pipeline and a hard shell that encases the insulation disposed around the pipe, the insulation panel comprising:

• one or more pieces of compressible fiberglass insulation material having an R value per inch of thickness from about 2 to about 10 hr-sq ft-deg F./Btu measured at 75 degrees Fahrenheit, wherein the insulation material is configured to return substantially back to its original thickness and density after being compressed;
• and
• a coated fabric cover encasing the one or more pieces of insulation material, wherein the coated fabric cover has a weight from about 5 to about 40 oz/sq yd, and wherein the coated fabric cover comprises a first fastening portion disposed along a first end of the insulation panel and a second fastening portion disposed between the first end and a second end of the insulation panel;
• and
• wherein the insulation panel is configured such that, when the insulation panel is installed around the hard outer shell of the existing insulation system having a diameter from about 24 to about 78 inches, the first end of the insulation panel overlaps the second end of the insulation panel and attachment of the first fastening portion to the second fastening portion secures the coated fabric cover around the hard outer shell.