Recyclable Multilayer Insulation Material Homogeneity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal insulation materials, particularly multilayer insulation (MLI) materials, are not recyclable, leading to resource destruction and hazardous substance release during disposal, and their recovery for equivalent products is uneconomical due to the variety of raw materials and additives used.
Innovation Solution
A recyclable thermal insulation material composed of at least two layers, a reflector layer and a spacing layer, both made of unmixed polymeric materials, which can be efficiently recycled by comminution and washing, allowing for the recovery of inorganic constituents and reuse of the polymeric materials to produce equivalent insulation products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multilayer insulation materials with various raw materials and additives are used, then thermal insulation performance is improved, but recyclability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies homogeneity by using the same polymeric material for both the reflector layer and spacing layer. This uniform material composition enables the entire multilayer structure to be recycled together as a single material type, eliminating the recyclability problems caused by mixed materials while maintaining the thermal insulation performance through the layered reflective-spacing-reflector configuration.
2Manufacturing precision
If complex separation of individual layers is performed during recycling, then material recovery purity is improved, but recycling complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflector layer and spacing layer into a single recyclable unit by using the same polymeric material for both. This combining approach allows the entire multilayer insulation structure to be processed together through comminution and washing, achieving material recovery without requiring complex separation processes for different material types.
3Ease of operation
If insulation materials are disposed of by combustion or landfill, then disposal simplicity is improved, but resource destruction and environmental harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements discarding and recovering by enabling the insulation material to be recovered through comminution and washing processes. The polymeric material can be separated and reused, while inorganic constituents like aluminum are recovered as valuable byproducts that can serve as flame retardants, transforming the disposal process into a resource recovery operation.
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 enables almost complete recycling of the insulation material, maintaining product quality and increasing recycling efficiency, while also being economically viable and environmentally friendly by recovering valuable materials like aluminum for reuse as a flame retardant.
Implementation Method 1
washing the comminuted insulation material by means of a cleaning device, wherein a washing liquid is used, and wherein inorganic constituents are released and/or precipitated and/or separated and/or recovered
Implementation Method 2
inorganic constituents are released and/or precipitated and/or separated and/or recovered
Implementation Method 3
at least one first layer is formed as a reflector layer
Implementation Method 4
heat-insulating materials for thermal insulation
Data Source
AI summary
An insulation material (1), a method for producing an insulation material (1), and a method for recycling an insulation material (1). The insulation material (1) has at least two layers, wherein at least one first layer (11) is formed as a reflector layer and at least one second layer (12) is formed as a spacing layer, wherein the at least one first layer (11) and the at least one second layer (12) in each case have polymeric constituents, wherein the polymeric constituents are formed of an unmixed polymeric material.