With the change in the environment that is taking place, humankind has to deal with changing weather and lifestyle conditions too. Things are no longer the same that they were a few decades ago. As energy resources are drastically depleting all over the world an urgent call for "ENERGY" preservation in manufacturing and industry usage has become the need of the hour. The major cause for heat loss is due to insulation, which needs to be checked every now and then. After years of research and studying various materials the process of thermal insulation to help minimize heat loss has been formulated and put into practice. Thermal insulation helps to keep the flow of heat intact inside or outside the building as per the requirement.
What is Thermal Insulation?
Thermal Insulation is the process of reducing the heat transfer through a combination of various materials that help to hold back the flow of heat. Materials can come in any shape, surface or size. In order to sustain the heat from mechanical and environmental damage, multiple finishes are being used to seal the insulation; These enhance the appearance and also help to conserve energy.
Mechanical Thermal Insulation
Mechanical Thermal Insulation is used in many places:
-In order to improve the efficiency of the energy consumption of the huge buildings like: shopping centers, schools, hotels, hospitals, domestic supply of water both hot and cold, refrigerator systems, air condition etc.
-In industrial facilities like: power plant, paper mills, refineries etc.
Mechanical thermal insulation uses materials to control heat gain or heat loss on their equipments such as pipeline, boilers, stacks, storage tanks, smoke stacks, steam and condensate distribution system etc.
How does Insulation Work?
The basic function of thermal insulation is to provide a reasonable amount of resistance for the heat to flow through the insulation material. In order to gain this functionality, insulation material needs to reduce the rate of heat transfer or heat flow from warmer to cooler surface, this is done through different means, like construction, convection and radiation.
Conduction – In this method energy flows through solids from molecule to molecule in a material, through a process influenced by physical contact of particles, and this helps to enhance the heat flow. The difference of temperature by its thermal conductivity determines the heat flow in a specific material.
Convection – Through this method, the flow of heat is being transported from one place to another by heated air, gas or liquid (fluid). The movement of heat flow will be influenced, either by natural convection or by forced convection.
Radiation – The transmission of energy in the form of light, radiation or other forms of electromagnetic waves or heat energy is being transmitted. The energy that is produced from a hot body will be able to travel freely only from a completely transparent medium like glass and translucent materials.
Role of Insulation –
– minimizes the heat loss or heat gain in order to attain energy maintenance
– helps the environment by reducing the CO2 and other greenhouse gases
– increases the efficiency of heating, ventilation, cooling, plumbing, and power systems
– helps in controlling the surface temperatures of commercial, industrial and homes
– protects workers from second and third degree burns
– reduces sound transmission loss.
Types of Insulation Material –
– Fiberglass
– Mineral wool
– Cellulose
– Polyurethane Foam
– Polystyrene
High levels of insulation and air tightness are an essential element of having low-energy and the enhanced insulation is an integral part of the building fabric leading sustainable energy.