EPS Insulation Material Using Cement Nanocellulose Binding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The use of glue as a binding agent in expanded polystyrene (EPS) insulation materials makes them difficult to break down during renovation or demolition, posing challenges in these processes.
Innovation Solution
A composition of EPS granules and a binding agent, specifically using cement and nanocellulose, which provides high thermal insulation value and sufficient compressive strength while being easy to recycle, and a method for manufacturing a solid insulation material using a kit with spatially separated components for efficient production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If glue is used as a binding agent in EPS insulation material, then the insulation material achieves sufficient binding strength, but it becomes difficult to break down during renovation or demolition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binding agent from conventional glue to a specific mixture of cement and nanocellulose. This parameter change transforms the binding mechanism while maintaining adequate binding strength, and crucially, enables the insulation material to be easily broken down during renovation by simply adding water to redisperse the granules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite binding agent combining cement and nanocellulose. The cement provides structural binding strength to hold EPS granules together, while the nanocellulose component contributes to the unique property of redispersibility in water. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of both binding strength and ease of breakdown.
2Temperature
If the insulation material uses traditional EPS mortar, then it achieves adequate thermal insulation, but the lambda value is higher requiring thicker application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the porous structure of expanded polystyrene granules as the primary insulation mechanism. By using well-expanded granules with high air content, the material achieves superior thermal insulation performance. The porous nature of the granules themselves provides the insulation, allowing for thinner overall application compared to traditional mortars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the lambda value by changing the composition ratios and selecting specific EPS granule characteristics (expansion ratio, density, size distribution). These parameter changes result in a lower lambda value than traditional EPS mortars, enabling thinner insulation layers to achieve the same thermal performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If cement and nanocellulose are used as binding agents, then the insulation material becomes easy to recycle, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the binding agent into two separate components: cement and nanocellulose. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function (cement for binding, nanocellulose for redispersibility), and simplifies the recycling process since the components can work independently to achieve the desired properties without requiring complex integrated systems.
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 solution achieves a solid insulation material with high thermal insulation value and compressive strength, facilitating easier recycling and improved handling during renovation, with a lambda value lower than traditional EPS mortars, allowing for thinner application and efficient production.
Implementation Method 1
Expanded polystyrene (EPS) has been used for many purposes for over 50 years. It was originally intended as an insulation material
Implementation Method 2
a binding agent, specifically using cement and nanocellulose, which provides high thermal insulation value and sufficient compressive strength
Implementation Method 3
a binding agent, specifically using cement and nanocellulose
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an insulation material comprising expanded polystyrene (EPS) granules and a binding agent, the binding agent comprising water, cement and nanocellulose. The invention further relates to a kit comprising spatially separated components for production of an insulation material, a method for manufacturing a solid insulation material, and a solid insulation material in itself.