Compacted Microporous Insulation for Cryogenic Fire Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulation materials for storage containers and conduits under pressure and extreme temperatures lack sufficient mechanical stability, thermal insulation, and fire protection, particularly in polymer-based systems, which are prone to corrosion and have high thermal expansion coefficients.
Innovation Solution
A fire-retardant insulation product combining particulate microporous insulation material, such as pyrogenic silica, with particulate inorganic fire protection material, like synthetic calcium silicate, is encapsulated and compacted into a single layer or laminate structure, providing enhanced thermal insulation and fire protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polymer materials are used for storage containers under pressure and extreme temperatures, then cost and corrosion resistance are improved, but mechanical stability and thermal insulation performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining polymer containment structures with ceramic insulation layers. The polymer container provides corrosion resistance and pressure containment, while the ceramic insulation layer (comprising microporous insulation material and fire protection material) provides mechanical stability, thermal insulation, and fire protection. This composite structure allows each material to contribute its superior properties, resolving the contradiction between corrosion resistance and mechanical stability.
2Reliability
If polymer materials are used for storage containers, then cost and corrosion resistance are improved, but thermal insulation performance deteriorates due to higher thermal expansion coefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to overcome the thermal insulation deficiency of polymers. The ceramic insulation layer with low thermal conductivity (k-value) is combined with the polymer container, creating a system where the ceramic provides superior thermal insulation while the polymer provides corrosion resistance. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by assigning thermal insulation to the ceramic layer and corrosion resistance to the polymer layer.
3Temperature
If conventional insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation is provided, but fire protection and mechanical stability under extreme temperatures are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by integrating microporous insulation material (providing thermal insulation) with fire protection material (providing fire resistance and mechanical stability at high temperatures). This composite insulation structure ensures that both thermal insulation and fire protection functions are achieved simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between thermal insulation performance and fire protection.
4Reliability
If insulation material is added to protect against fire and heat, then fire protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fire protection function and thermal insulation function into a single integrated insulation layer. The microporous insulation material and fire protection material are combined in one layer, allowing the system to achieve both fire protection and thermal insulation without adding separate components. This merging approach reduces device complexity while maintaining both protective functions.
5Reliability
If polymer storage containers are used, then cost and corrosion resistance are improved, but safety against explosion from liquid evaporation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite materials to address the explosion safety concern. The ceramic insulation layer with low thermal conductivity prevents heat transfer to the stored liquid, maintaining low temperatures and preventing evaporation that could lead to explosion. The polymer container provides corrosion resistance, while the ceramic layer provides thermal protection. This composite structure resolves the contradiction between corrosion resistance and explosion safety.
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 combined insulation product maintains low temperatures and protects against fire, reducing the risk of explosion by extending the time before unexpected heating can cause evaporation of stored liquids, while maintaining mechanical stability and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The insulation product provides protection against heat and fire, especially from an external side. Hence, if there is any malfunctioning leading to smoke, fire and temperature increase in the vicinity of a storage container, vessel or conduit at low temperature, this low temperature can be maintained for an increased period of time.
Implementation Method 2
encapsulating a particulate microporous insulation material and a particulate mineral fire protection material in said encapsulation material to an assembly; and compacting said assembly into said fire-retardant insulation product
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The fire-retardant insulation product 20 comprising a particulate microporous insulation material 31 and a particulate inorganic fire protection material 32. The microporous insulation material 31 may be pyrogenic silica, pyrogenic alumina, aerogel or precipitated silica or a combination thereof. The particulate inorganic fire protection material 32 is for instance a calcium silicate, such as a synthetic form of calcium silicate. The particulate material 31, 32 is present in an envelope 23 and gets compacted prior to closing the envelope 23. The insulation product 20 is arranged around a storage container 10, a pipe, a vessel and is particularly but not exclusively configured for use in cryogenic conditions.