The thermal energy management of industrial equipment and pipeline systems is a crucial aspect that affects the energy efficiency and safety of production processes, especially in industries with high energy consumption such as petrochemicals, electricity, and metallurgy. Aerogel insulation materials, with their nanoscale porous structure that brings about extremely low thermal conductivity and lightweight characteristics, are gradually becoming an efficient solution in the field of insulation for industrial equipment shells, helping enterprises achieve deep energy savings and carbon reduction goals. 
Aerogel materials are usually based on silica as the matrix. Their unique three-dimensional nano-network structure can confine air molecules within the pores, significantly inhibiting heat convection and conduction. At room temperature, the thermal conductivity can be as low as 0.018–0.023 W/(m·K), and the insulation performance is 3-5 times that of traditional materials. Under the same insulation requirements, the thickness of the aerogel insulation layer can be reduced by 50%–70%, which is particularly important for device areas with limited space and dense pipelines. This can effectively solve the problems of heavy traditional insulation layers and inconvenient maintenance. 
In industrial applications, aerogels are often made into flexible mats, composite plates or pre-formed tubes, which are convenient for covering various shapes of equipment, valves and pipelines. Due to its flexible nature, the aerogel can closely adhere to irregular surfaces, reducing heat loss caused by installation gaps. At the same time, the aerogel has excellent hydrophobicity (hydrophobicity rate ≥ 99%) and high-temperature stability. It does not absorb moisture and powderize easily during long-term use, and its temperature resistance range can reach -200°C to 650°C, making it suitable for various harsh working conditions such as high-temperature steam pipelines and deep cryogenic storage tanks. 
Lightweighting is another prominent advantage of aerogel. Its density is only 1/5 - 1/3 of that of traditional rock wool, which can significantly reduce the load on pipeline supports and lower the construction cost. During construction, it is often used in combination with external protective layers such as aluminum foil and stainless steel sheets to enhance mechanical protection and durability. Although the initial investment is higher, the excellent energy-saving effect and long service life of aerogel make it economically viable throughout its entire life cycle. Under the trend of industrial energy-saving transformation and green manufacturing, aerogel insulation technology is becoming an important path to enhance equipment energy efficiency and achieve sustainable development.