Asphalt Silo Thermal Barrier Air Gap Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional asphalt storage silos experience significant radiant and convective heat loss, leading to increased energy needs and costs to maintain the temperature of asphalt paving materials, as the insulation systems are inefficient in retaining heat.
Innovation Solution
A thermal barrier system is introduced, featuring a cylindrically-shaped shell wall with a secondary wall and an air gap between the insulation and the secondary wall, combined with air dams to disrupt airflow and reduce convective heat transfer, and a radiation reflective secondary wall to minimize heat loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional thick insulation layer is used, then heat retention is improved, but device complexity and material usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple insulation materials (rigid foam insulation layer and flexible insulation material) with different thermal properties to create a composite insulation system. This composite structure achieves superior heat retention compared to conventional single-material thick insulation, while the layered design allows for optimized thickness and reduced overall complexity of the insulation system.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation system is nested within the containment skin structure, with the rigid foam insulation layer positioned between the shell wall and containment skin, and flexible insulation material filling the remaining space. This nested arrangement integrates the insulation system into the existing silo structure, reducing the need for additional external insulation components and simplifying the overall device complexity.
2Loss of energy
If conventional insulation system is used, then heat retention is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different insulation materials to different locations within the containment skin structure. Rigid foam insulation is applied directly to the shell wall where structural support is needed, while flexible insulation material is used in the remaining space. This localized differentiation optimizes heat retention in critical areas while reducing material costs in less critical areas, lowering overall manufacturing cost while maintaining effective heat loss prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal insulation parameters by using a two-layer system with different R-values and material properties. The rigid foam layer provides high R-value per inch for structural areas, while the flexible material provides supplementary insulation. This parameter optimization allows achieving the required heat retention performance with reduced total insulation thickness compared to conventional uniform thick insulation, thereby reducing material costs and manufacturing complexity.
3Loss of energy
If containment skin is spaced away from shell wall, then insulation space is created, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The containment skin is designed as a flexible structure that can be positioned at varying distances from the shell wall to create the necessary insulation space. The flexible nature of the containment skin allows it to maintain structural integrity while being spaced away from the rigid shell wall, accommodating the insulation layers without compromising the overall structural strength of the silo.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural integrity is maintained through a composite construction approach where the rigid shell wall provides primary structural support, while the containment skin (spaced away to create insulation space) and insulation materials work together as a composite system. The rigid foam insulation layer, in particular, contributes to structural rigidity while the flexible containment skin maintains the insulated envelope, creating a synergistic structure that preserves strength while enabling heat loss reduction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces heat loss, allowing for better heat retention, reduced energy consumption, and lower operational costs while maintaining the asphalt paving materials at elevated temperatures for a longer period.
Implementation Method 1
The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall
Implementation Method 2
radiant heat loss 114 occurs when heat from the asphalt paving material 104 located in the silo 102 radiates outwardly from the shell wall 108
Implementation Method 3
convective heat loss occurs as airflows 116 pass over the containment skin 110 and carry heat away from the silo
Data Source
AI summary
A storage silo apparatus having a storage silo including a shell wall, a secondary wall spaced radially outwards from the shell wall, and a space having a first width formed between an outer surface of the shell wall and an inner surface of the secondary wall. An insulation layer located in the space is narrower than the space such that an air gap is formed within the space. The air gap is formed radially adjacent the insulation layer and is configured to resist heat transfer between the shell wall and the secondary wall.