Refrigeration Insulation - Aerogels

[rgleason]

Instead of contaminating this excellent thread
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ay-204423.html I am starting a new thread on Aerogels.

Recently someone posted that they had completely redone their box with aerogel. I am familiar with the use of clear aerogel in skylights to provide light and high quality insulation. If that user could post more details about his use and installation, and exactly which aerogel product he used, it would be very helpful. Also a link to that post or thread...?

There are a number of types of aerogel all based on the similar principles, a chemically bonded molecules in a matrix that is 98% air. The ways that this is achieved, uses different chemistries but almost always an autoclave to remove some supporting medium without disturbing the molecular bonds.

There are several companies now producing aerogels.
Aerogel Technologies, LLC | Airloy® Products
https://www.aerogel.com/
BuyAerogel.com | Spaceloft® Blanket
BuyAerogel.com | Blankets

What is Aerogel?
Aerogel.org » What is Aerogel?

Here is a place to purchase them
BuyAerogel.com | Pyrogel® XTE Blanket Cut-to-Size (5-mm Thickness)

In considering replacement of our old insulation, I went back to measurements of the box (4.55cu.ft. / 19 sf surface area) and determined that using 10 layers of 5mm blanket of Pyrogel XTE Blanket at $5.85 for our refrigeration box will cost about $1100 and will improve the number of btu/24hr from approximately 2500 btu (calculation for "new" high density polyurethane "green" insulation, that is now 37years old) to 1630 btu. Between each layer I could also insert a heavy reflective foil to improve the radiation losses. The size of the box could remain as is.

The questions are, am I using the right aerogel? Is it worthwhile using aerogel (Rvalue=7.15 vs Polyurethane R=4) or should I consider something else?

Please share your experiences, considerations and photographs of aerogel installations.

[senormechanico]

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rchid=22038964


Start reading.

[john61ct]

"Sorry - no matches. Please try some different term"

Try this

https://www.google.com/search?q=site...gel+OR+aerogel

[roverhi]

I'm somewhat limited in the width of insulation for my box. Looked at Aerogel and got a sample. Decided it was too costly and difficult to do the installation. The material is flimsy and needs something to contain it. Looked like a box within a box would be necessary to contain and protect the aerogel.

[senormechanico]

When we redid our box, we built it from the inside out.
We used fiberglass sheet for the interior, sealed edges.


We finished it off with several layers of Aerogel, vapor sealed on the outside with fiberglass tape, overlapped 50%.


That was several years ago, still working fine. No issues.