Moisture-Regenerating Thermal Insulator for Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retention of water droplets due to dew condensation between objects and thermal insulators can lead to corrosion, as existing thermal insulation methods fail to effectively manage moisture and temperature changes.
Innovation Solution
A thermal insulator comprising a polymer sorbent that regenerates by desorbing adsorbed moisture and a thermal insulation material, such as an aerogel with water repellency, is used to absorb and manage liquid water, preventing retention and improving thermal insulation performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional thermal insulation materials are used, then thermal insulation performance is provided, but water droplet retention occurs due to dew condensation causing object deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a polymer sorbent with specific moisture-absorbing properties into the thermal insulation structure. This creates a localized moisture management zone within the insulation material that selectively absorbs water droplets formed by dew condensation, while the rest of the structure maintains its thermal insulation function. The polymer sorbent is distributed at specific concentrations (0.1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts of thermal insulation material) to optimize both moisture absorption and thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite thermal insulation material by combining conventional thermal insulation materials (such as aerogels, foams, or fibrous materials) with a polymer sorbent. This composite structure integrates the thermal insulation properties of the base material with the moisture-absorbing capabilities of the polymer sorbent, enabling simultaneous protection against both heat transfer and water droplet retention that causes corrosion.
2Temperature
If thermal insulation material is added to improve insulation performance, then thermal insulation performance increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thermal insulation function and moisture absorption function into a single integrated material system. By incorporating the polymer sorbent directly into the thermal insulation material matrix, the invention eliminates the need for separate moisture management components, thereby maintaining simple device structure while achieving both thermal insulation and anti-corrosion protection.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If polymer sorbent content is increased to improve moisture absorption, then moisture absorption performance improves, but thermal insulation performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameter of the polymer sorbent within a specific range (0.1-10 parts by mass per 100 parts of thermal insulation material). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient moisture absorption capacity while maintaining the thermal insulation properties of the base material. The lower limit (0.1 parts) ensures effective dew condensation management, while the upper limit (10 parts) prevents excessive disruption of the thermal insulation structure.
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 effectively reduces water retention, prevents corrosion, and maintains thermal insulation performance across temperature changes, with the polymer sorbent desorbing moisture at a lower regeneration temperature, enhancing the thermal insulator's ability to handle temperature fluctuations and improve productivity.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer sorbent that regenerates by desorbing adsorbed moisture
Implementation Method 2
a polymer sorbent that regenerates by desorbing adsorbed moisture
Implementation Method 3
a thermal insulation material
Implementation Method 4
an aerogel having water repellency
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a thermal insulator containing a polymer sorbent that regenerates by desorbing adsorbed moisture, and a thermal insulation material. The thermal insulator of the present invention has the thermal insulation performance and prevents deterioration of the object by repeatedly absorbing liquid water between the object to be thermally insulated and the thermal insulator to reduce and prevent retention of water droplets between an object to be thermally insulated and a thermal insulator.