Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
April 8, 2019
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Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Total Funding: $500,000
Project Term: October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019
Funding Type: Lab Award
Project Objective
The objective of this project is to develop novel and cost-effective techniques to manufacture evacuated spheres that can lead to insulation boards with a thermal resistance of R14/in. to R20/in. To this end, two distinct early-stage manufacturing processes are being explored to produce the evacuated spheres: polymeric vacuum insulation spheres (PVISs) and coated and evacuated insulation spheres (CEISs). PVIS involves the extrusion of economical polymers, blowing agents, and gas barriers to mass produce and evacuate polymeric microspheres. CEIS uses naturally occurring or synthesized hollow microparticles with porous shells and evacuates and coats them with a gas impermeable thin film. Both processes were selected because they are scalable to very large throughputs.
Project Impact
Insulation boards made with evacuated spheres (ES) will be more suitable for building construction than the state-of-the-art vacuum insulated panels (VIPs). ES boards will be more robust and easier to install because punctures will only cause localized damage and minimal loss of vacuum. In contrast, punctures in VIPs cause a decrease in thermal resistance from ~R35/in. to ~R8/in. Equally important, ES boards will be more versatile than VIPs because installers will be able to cut them without degrading their thermal performance; thus, the dimensions of the ES boards will be easily tailored at the job site. The next best insulation material in the market are polyisocyanurate foam boards that have a thermal resistance of ~R6/in; the ES boards will more than double this performance. The high R-value/in. of the ES boards will enable building envelope retrofits in which space is limited and robust materials are needed.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Sven Mumme
Lead Performer: Diana Hun, Oak Ridge National Laboratory