Aerogel Blanket Insulation Materials for Cryogenic ApplicationsAerogel blanket materials for use in thermal insulation systems are now commercially available and implemented by industry. Prototype aerogel blanket materials were presented at the Cryogenic Engineering Conference in 1997 and by 2004 had progressed to full commercial production by Aspen Aerogels. Today, this new technology material is providing superior energy efficiencies and enabling new design approaches for more cost effective cryogenic systems. Aerogel processing technology and methods are continuing to improve, offering a tailor-able array of product formulations for many different thermal and environmental requirements. Many different varieties and combinations of aerogel blankets have been characterized using insulation test cryostats at the Cryogenics Test Laboratory of NASA Kennedy Space Center. Detailed thermal conductivity data for a select group of materials are presented for engineering use. Heat transfer evaluations for the entire vacuum pressure range, including ambient conditions, are given. Examples of current cryogenic applications of aerogel blanket insulation are also given. KEYWORDS: Cryogenic tanks, thermal insulation, composite materials, aerogel, thermal conductivity, liquid nitrogen boil-off
Document ID
20130011366
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Coffman, B. E. (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Fesmire, J. E. (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
White, S. (Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Northborough, MA, United States)
Gould, G. (Aspen Aerogels, Inc. Northborough, MA, United States)
Augustynowicz, S. (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)