Hydrophobized Mixed Oxide Granules for Low-Viscosity Thermal Insulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal insulating compositions with high loadings of silica-based materials face issues with viscosity, making them difficult to mix and apply, and they exhibit high thermal conductivity and mechanical instability.
Innovation Solution
A hydrophobized granular material comprising 30-95% of a mixed oxide based on silica with added metal oxides like Al, Ti, or Fe, and 5-70% IR-opacifiers such as silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, or manganese oxides, which is prepared using pyrogenic methods and treated with thermal processes or ammonia to enhance mechanical stability and reduce viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If fumed silica loading is increased to improve thermal insulation properties, then thermal conductivity decreases, but viscosity becomes too high for practical application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the particle size parameter of fumed silica from fine (original) to coarse (invention), which fundamentally alters the rheological properties of the composition. This parameter change allows high fumed silica loading (60-90 wt%) to be achieved while maintaining workable viscosity, as larger particles create less friction and entanglement in the matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by using coarse fumed silica particles that provide thermal insulation functionality while having reduced negative impact on flow properties. The coarse particles are strategically used to maintain both thermal performance and processability in different regions of the composition system.
2Temperature
If aerogel is used to achieve low thermal conductivity, then thermal insulation performance improves, but cost increases and high-temperature stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive aerogel with a more economical alternative: coarse fumed silica combined with specific binders and pigments. This substitution uses cheaper, readily available materials that can achieve comparable thermal insulation performance without the high cost and thermal instability issues of aerogel.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite material system combining coarse fumed silica (60-90 wt%), binder (5-30 wt%), and pigment (0.1-10 wt%). This composite approach leverages the synergistic effects of multiple components to achieve thermal insulation properties comparable to aerogel while improving cost-effectiveness and high-temperature stability.
3Temperature
If granular silica material is used to improve thermal insulation, then thermal conductivity decreases, but mechanical stability and mixability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle size parameter of fumed silica to coarse ranges (10-50 μm, preferably 20-30 μm), which fundamentally changes the material's interaction with the binder and its flow characteristics. This parameter optimization simultaneously improves mechanical stability and mixability while maintaining thermal insulation performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by using coarse fumed silica particles that provide thermal insulation functionality while having reduced negative impact on flow properties. The coarse particles are strategically used to maintain both thermal performance and processability in different regions of the composition system.
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 significantly improves the viscosity of thermal insulating compositions, both fresh and stored, while maintaining low thermal conductivity and ensuring good mixability and applicability, thus addressing the limitations of pure silica-based materials.
Implementation Method 1
Effective thermal insulation of houses, industrial plants, pipelines and suchlike is an important economic problem
Implementation Method 2
a hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a mixed oxide based on silica
Implementation Method 3
which is prepared using pyrogenic methods
Data Source
AI summary
Hydrophobized granular material comprising from 30 to 95% by weight of a pyrogenic mixed oxide based on silica and at least one oxide of metal M selected from of Al, Ti and Fe with the content of metal M oxide in the mixed oxide being from 01 to 10% by weight, and from 5 to 70% by weight of at least one IR-opacifier selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide, zirconium dioxide, ilmenites, iron titanates, zirconium silicates, manganese oxides, graphites, carbon blacks and mixtures thereof.