NanoPore™
thermal insulation is a porous solid that is prepared by one of several processes which yield both low
density and small pores. Its chemical composition is silica, titania and/or carbon in a 3-D, highly branched network of primary
particles (2-20 nm) which aggregate into larger (nm to mm) particles The material has pore sizes ranging from 10-100 nm. It
is this nano-scale porosity that gives NanoPore™ its excellent thermal performance
Because of its unique pore structure, NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation can provide thermal performance unequalled by conventional
insulation materials. In the form of a vacuum insulation panel (VIP), NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation can have thermal resistance
values as high as R40/inch - 7-8x greater than conventional foam insulation materials. A comparison of the thermal performance of
NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation versus conventional insulation materials is shown below.
Due to unique structure, its conductivity can actually be lower than air at the same pressure. Its superior insulation
characteristics are due to the unique shape and small size of its large number of pores. Gas molecules within the matrix
experience what is known as the Knudsen effect, which virtually eliminates exchange of energy in the gas, effectively eliminating
convection and lowering overall thermal conductivity. Solid phase conduction is low due to the materials low density and high
surface area, and NanoPore™’s proprietary blend of infra-red opacifiers greatly reduce radiant heat transfer. NanoPore™ Insulation
may be used over a wide temperature range from below cryogenic (<-196 °C) to high temperatures (>800 °C).
NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation - Grades
Our standard thermal insulation product is NanoPore™ HP-150. This is the material uses in most of our VIPs and inserts.
NanoPore™ HP-150 can be used at temperatures up to 300°C, but for higher temperature use NanoPore produces a special high temperature
insulation, NanoPore™ HT-170 which can be used up to 800°C and above in some cases. For applications with highly specific performance
requirements, custom grades of NanoPore™ Thermal Insulation can provided to meet a project's special needs. /font>
NanoPore™ thermal insulation begins as a proprietary blend of nanoporous powders which are pressed into semi-rigid boards. These are cut
to size and shrink-wrapped for ease of handling. For some applications these boards are used directly, but in most cases they are
processed into vacuum insulation panels, either by NanoPore or by the end user. End users may purchase these boards as VIP inserts.
To make a VIP, the inserts are encased in a metalized plastic barrier film and then sealed under vacuum. Various barrier materials may be
employed to provide the desired performance depending upon the temperature, size, and desired lifetime. The completed product is a vacuum
insulation panel (VIP).
A standard VIP can operate in a temperature range from below 330°F (<-200°C) to 250°F (120°C), the maximum continuous working temperature
of the barrier film. For higher temperature applications, custom vacuum enclosures, made from metal or another impermeable skin, may be used
to house the core material.
For applications where a VIP cannot be used (such as high temperature applications) NanoPore has experience working with customers
to design, and if needed, build custom containment for the insulation.
More informantion on NanoPore VIPs.
More informantion on applications of NanoPore Thermal Insulation.
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