Using Microtherm® products and PROMALIGHT®: the simplest way to optimise thermal efficiency

The microporous effect ...

is the restriction of collisions between air molecules which would lead to heat transfer by gaseous conduction.

Although Microtherm® is solid and has excellent compression resistance it is fairly low in density and actually around 90% trapped air. It is formed from nano-sized particles of silica that are bonded under compression into long tangled chains. The air is contained as minute pockets in the structure that are smaller in size than the mean free path of an air molecule, the distance it must travel to collide with another air molecule. This pore structure dramatically limits the effect of gaseous conduction and eliminates internal convection. Instead of colliding with each other, air molecules collide with the walls of the pores, a process which transfers little energy.

Solid conduction is minimised by the low density, but also by the minute particle structure.  The very small  area of contact between particles together with the length of the particle chains effectively limit heat transfer by solid contact.

Radiation is the principal way that heat moves at higher temperatures and is the reason for the rapid deterioration of performance of conventional insulation materials in these conditions.   By incorporating particles of an opacifier material in the structure of Microtherm® it becomes almost totally opaque to infra-red radiation.  The opacifier repeatedly refracts (bends) the infra-red wave, blocking its transfer through the insulation almost completely.

As a result, Microtherm® has an even lower thermal conductivity than still air. 

Maximum resistance to heat transfer

At high temperatures, Microtherm^® will easily outperform conventional insulation materials  because it is designed to provide maximum resistance to all modes of heat transfer. Even at an exposure temperature of 1000 °C it will still maintain a remarkably low thermal conductivity. <

Slim and light weight

The practical benefits of this performance come from the fact that Microtherm^® systems are very slim and light weight. They are typically only one quarter of the thickness of competing systems.  

Optimised performance

Insulated assemblies can be much smaller and lighter while still enjoying optimised thermal performance with minimum energy losses. Alternatively, internal capacity of a unit such as a furnace can be increased while keeping to the same overall size.

Cost effectiveness comes from being smaller and lighter but many times more efficient.

• Very low thermal conductivity values across  a wide temperature range from cryogenic temperatures up to 1000^oC and higher.
• Low density which in combination with the low TC values ensures ultra thin and lightweight insulation protection.
• Non-combustible.
• Minimal shrinkage, even when used continuously at maximum rated temperature.
• Excellent compressive strength.
• Good machinabiity to complex shapes with good tolerances.
• Good resistance  to operational and impact vibration when fully enclosed on assembly.
• Wide range of coverings available.

Microtherm® offers unbeatable benefits in use in any application where high temperatures and high energy use are encountered. A Microtherm® engineered solution minimises unnecessary energy wastage through controllable heat losses.

Typical applications include:

• Petrochemical plants
• Glass manufacture
• Manufacture and processing of all hot metals
• Energy generation including fuel cells
• Furnaces
• Insulated chimneys and flues
• All types of transport- exhausts, thermal protection to controls, and passive fire protection
• Aerospace and defence
• Home appliances and heating

The Microtherm® product range includes the most versatile and comprehensive collection of microporous products on the market. Some are available in water resistant versions.

• Block products
• Board products
• Rigid glass cloth covered panels
• Quilted flexible panels for covering complex 3D assemblies
• Slimflex® – flexible quilted insulation on a roll
• Slatted panels for 2D flexure around pipes and cylindrical objects
• Overstitched flexible products
• Pourable microporous granules
• Moulded pipe insulation sections
• Machined parts
• Industry specific products
  - MICROTHERM SLIM&LIGHT®for lift door fire protection
  - Microtherm STEELFLEX®for steel industry applications
  - AEROGUARD® for aeronautical and aerospace use with full traceability
  - FBK – glass feeder bowl kits

Click here to see the whole microporous product range of Promat. 

Or download the current version of the Microporous Products brochure here.