Aerogel Impregnated Polyurethane Piping and Duct Insulation

Currently, commercial and residential buildings account for two-fifths of the nations primary energy usage and over one-third the nations carbon emissions. The DOE wishes to reduce the current carbon footprint of housing. Legislation is currently being developed to inspire energy savings and carbon reduction in both the residential and commercial building markets. Technological advances for efficient energy usage within buildings are necessary for such carbon reduction. It is the purpose of this project to develop a means of achieving these energy saving goals. InnoSense LLC (ISL) will develop insulation that will efficiently insulate pipes and ducts that are traditional sources of energy loss. The proposed insulation will consist of composite foam that will be sprayed onto surfaces and formed in situ. The composite structure will improve the insulative properties of the foam while the in situ forming aspects will ensure complete substrate coverage and improve crevice filling. ISL proposes to utilize aerogel particles impregnated in polyurethane foam for insulating purposes. Hydrophobic aerogels will be crushed into particles and incorporated into polyurethane foam. The resulting material will be sprayable foam. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: ISLs aerogel insulation will reduce radiative exchange of housing duct and piping. This will save the amount of energy required to heat or cool. Currently, at least a quarter of the energy produced can be lost due to inefficient modes of conservation. Improved building efficiency will also reduce carbon emissions.