Fire Resistant Insulating Compound Using Aerogel and Lime

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional insulating materials based on polymeric or organic materials are not effective in achieving non-combustibility, making them unsuitable for applications in the naval sector where stringent fire safety standards must be met, and existing solutions using mineral fibers or aerogels face issues with weight, installation complexity, and environmental concerns.

Innovation Solution

A thermal and acoustic insulating compound composed of lime, aerogel, and flame retardants based on an endothermal mechanism, without additional organic additives, which can be sprayed onto surfaces, providing high non-combustibility and improved mechanical properties while adhering well to metal substrates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If polymeric or organic materials are used for thermal insulation, then good thermal and acoustic insulation performance is achieved, but non-combustibility is compromised because carbon burns easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal insulation performanceVSAvoidnon-combustibility
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite material system combining aerogel particles (providing thermal insulation) with a lime-based inorganic binder (providing non-combustibility). This composite structure allows the material to achieve both good thermal insulation performance and meet non-combustibility standards, resolving the contradiction between insulation effectiveness and fire safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If mineral fiber panels are used for insulation, then non-combustibility is achieved, but weight and installation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-combustibilityVSAvoidweight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs aerogel, an ultralight porous material, as the insulating component. The porous structure of aerogel provides excellent thermal insulation with extremely low density, significantly reducing the weight compared to traditional mineral fiber panels while maintaining non-combustibility through the lime-based binder.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

3Reliability

If mineral fiber panels are used for insulation, then non-combustibility is achieved, but installation complexity and environmental concerns increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenon-combustibilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent formulates the insulation material as a sprayable composition that can be directly applied to surfaces. The lime-based binder provides self-binding properties, allowing the material to adhere to itself and substrates without requiring additional adhesives or complex mechanical fastening systems, thereby simplifying installation compared to traditional panel systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Weight of stationary object

If aerogel is used for thermal insulation, then reduced weight is achieved, but non-combustibility is compromised due to organic material content in aerogel

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveweightVSAvoidnon-combustibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system where aerogel particles (the lightweight insulating phase) are dispersed in a lime-based inorganic binder matrix. The binder contains flame retardant compounds that provide non-combustibility, compensating for the organic material present in the aerogel. This composite approach allows the material to maintain both low weight and meet fire safety standards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 thermal and acoustic insulation performance comparable to mineral fiber systems with reduced weight and environmental impact, meeting stringent non-combustibility standards and simplifying installation, while maintaining mechanical integrity and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

flame retardant based on an endothermal mechanism... by breaking down with simultaneous absorption of heat from the surrounding environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEndothermal mechanism: Endothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

thermal or acoustic insulation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

adhering well to metal substrates

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP3688119B1Fire resistant insulating compound
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 ROMEO RONCO
  • EP3688119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3688119B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3688119B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A thermal or acoustic or thermoacoustic insulation compound includes at least one aerogel, calcite, hydrated lime and a component constituted by at least one flame retardant.