Thermal Calculator

HOW MUCH LESS AEROGEL DO YOU NEED?

As shown in the table below, based on ambient values, the thermal conductivity of our thin flexible aerogel blankets is anywhere from two to five times lower than commonly used insulations:

Ambient Values as a Guideline

While ambient conductivity may not accurately reflect the conductivity of materials at elevated temperatures, they are a good place to start. For example, if your existing insulation solution utilizes any of the following; Polystyrene Foam, Polyester Batting, Fiberglass or Mineral Wool; an inspection of the ambient thermal conductivity values from the table above reveals that the ambient thermal conductivities of these materials are about three times higher than our aerogel blankets. As such, you could replace that insulation with two thirds less aerogel and still obtain the same thermal performance, or alternatively, use the same thickness of aerogel and triple the thermal performance.

For example, if your existing insulation solution required 3 inches of fiberglass, just an inch of our aerogels should give you the same result. Alternatively, 3 inches of aerogel should triple the thermal performance of the system.

Thermal Calculators

A more exacting estimate of how much aerogel to use, and what the energy improvement would be can be obtained by running a thermal calculation program.

For example, running such a program for a Schedule 40 Six Inch Line operating at 350°F shows that 0.75 inches of aerogel reduces BTUs lost per running foot per hour by 17% when compared to 3 inches of Calsil. A simple comparison of ambient thermal conductivities as illustrated above would’ve suggested that 0.75 inches of aerogel was thermally equivalent to 3 inches of Casil.

One such program is the 3E Plus Program from the National Association of Insulation Manufacturers, or NAIMA. This program is accessible through the following link:

http://www.pipeinsulation.org/

Simply hit the Download Free Software Link,register and follow the self guiding instructions from there.

Once you’ve installed the program, you need to add Spaceloft/Pyrogel. Click here for instructions.