Aerogel insulation

Figure 8 Passive solar heating with a translucent aerogel insulation in front of a blackened house wall. Even on cold but sunny days heat gain can be achieved.

Due to the absence of a stabilising pressurisation in mechanically tensioned structures, another type of aerogel insulation is employed. This version is a fleece made of two-component fibres which is sprinkled with aerogel particles. This produces a flexible and pressure-resistant mat which has highly favourable insulating properties. This fleece can be used both in combination with transparent ETFE foils and with translucent membrane materials such as PTFE-coated, glass-fibre fabric - see Fig. 12.4. The... 

Quenard D, Chevalier B, Sallee H, Olive F, Giraud D (1998) Heat transfer by conduction and radiation in building materials review and new developments Rev Metall Cahier Inf Tech 95 1149-1158 Fesmire JE, Sass JP (2008) Aerogel insulation applications for liquid hydrogen launch vehicle tanks. Cryogenics 48 223-231... 

Fesmire, J (2006) Aerogel insulation systems for space launch applications. Cryogenics 46(2-3) 111-117. Gougas, A, lUe, D, lUe, S, Pojidaev, V (1999) Behavior of hydrophobic aerogel used as a Cherenkov medium. Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res, Sect A 421(1-2) 249-255. 

Tang H H, Omdoff E S, Trevino L A (2006) Thermal performance of space suit elements with aerogel insulation for Moon and Mars exploration. 36th International Conference on Environment Systems, July 17-20, 2006, Norfolk, Virginia AIAA 2006-01-2235. 

Eesmire J E (2006) Aerogel insulation systems for space launch apphcations. Cryogenics 46 111—117. 

Fesmire, J.E., Aerogel insulation systems for space launch applications. Cryogenics, 2006. 46 p. 111-117. Bliiher, P., Latentwarmespeicher erhoht den Fahrkomfort und die Fahrsicherheit. Automobiltechnische Zeits-chrift ATZ, 1991. 93(10). 

Following a short presentation of the global need for superinsulation together with a closer look at the specific situation in the building sector, we propose within this synopsis a brief analysis of (1) the world s insulation markets, (2) superinsulating aerogel materials and their alternatives, (3) commercial aerogel insulation products available today, and (4) our estimation of their most likely applications worldwide in the future. We conclude this chapter with some first considerations on health, toxicity, and environmental aspects. 

For most aerogel insulation products, the reduction of the operating cost is higher than the savings accrued during installation. However, in the case of off-shore oil and gas pipeline... 

Table 26.2. Typical aerogel insulation product branches, their space savings benefit,...

In the field of cryotechnology, which includes, for example, transport and storage of liquefied gases or frozen biomedical specimens, aerogel insulation offers numerous... 

Figure 26.16. Examples of two aerogel insulation demonstration projects in Switzerland Transparent insulation (right, high-school gymnastic haU in Zurich) and fagade blanket insulation Oeft, single family home in Meilen, ZH).

A current reference market price for a cubic meter of silica aerogel is on the order of US 4,000 (2008). With increasing commercialization, this value could drop below the US 1,500 mark by the year 2020. Lower prices will cause an equilibration or stabilization of the aerogels insulation market. The advance of organic and hybrid systems could invigorate this development process additionally. In the meantime, we shall look forward to seeing new aerogel insulation products and manufacturers appear on the markets. 

Deng Z, Wang J, Wu A, Shen J, Zhou B (1998) High strength Si02 aerogel insulation, J Non-Cryst Solids 225 101-104... 

Bardy ER, Mollendorf JC, Pendergast DR (2007) Thermal conductivity and compressive strain of aerogel insulation blankets under applied hydrostatic pressure. Journal of Heat Transfer 129 232-235... 

If marketing and advertising are major factors in creating consumer demand, then how do new technologies such as aerogel insulation receive acceptance in the market place This answer is tied to the competition manufacturers who want to invest in new technologies... 

Since standard insulating materials are very inexpensive compared to aerogel-based materials, there is little incentive for products to use more expensive aerogel insulation unless the amount of insulation is very small or there is a substantial need for improved insulation performance within a very limited thickness. 

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