Abstract: A fibrous insulation product with improved thermal resistance and method of making it are provided. A plurality of base fibers (e.g. glass) are formed into an insulation product, which may be bindered or unbonded. At least one infrared opacifying agent, such as soot, carbon black or graphite, is applied to the fibrous insulation product such that the base fibers are substantially uniformly coated with opacifying agent. The opacifying agent may be applied, for example, from a fluid suspension or by pulling the fiber through a sooty flame. When opacifying agent applied via a suspension and a binder is desired, it is preferable to avoid binder dispersions that can dislocate the opacifying agent. Alternative binder applications may include co-mingling of base fibers with binder fibers, or other physical or mechanical distributions.

Abstract: Polymer extruded foams that contain cell size enlarging agents are provided. The inventive composition includes a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, and at least one cell size enlarging agent. The blowing agent utilized in the inventive composition is preferably selected such that the composition has a zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. Examples include any inorganic blowing agents and/or non-hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbons (non-HCFCs). The foamable polymer material is preferably polystyrene. The cell size enlarging agent may be chosen from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA). The cell size enlarging agent permits the formation of a foam with large cell sizes that are desirable to achieve a high insulation value and to optimize the physical properties of the foamed product. In addition, the cell size enlarging agent provides an increased cell size to the foamed product without detracting from the physical and thermal properties.

Abstract: An insulation system for a thermal oven. The insulation system comprises a cabinet and a liner positioned within the cabinet. The liner defines an oven cavity. The liner includes opposing sides, a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A layer of insulation is positioned between the cabinet and the outside of the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The layer of insulation is positioned to create an air gap between the insulation and the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The insulation has a thermal energy reflective facing attached to an interior surface facing the liner.

Abstract: An insulation system for a thermal oven. The insulation system comprises a cabinet and a liner positioned within the cabinet. The liner defines an oven cavity. The liner includes opposing sides, a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A layer of insulation is positioned between the cabinet and the outside of the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The layer of insulation is positioned to create an air gap between the insulation and the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The insulation has a thermal energy reflective facing attached to an interior surface facing the liner.

Abstract: An insulation system for a thermal oven. The insulation system comprises a cabinet and a liner positioned within the cabinet. The liner defines an oven cavity. The liner includes opposing sides, a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A layer of insulation is positioned between the cabinet and the outside of the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The layer of insulation is positioned to create an air gap between the insulation and the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The insulation has a thermal energy reflective facing attached to an interior surface facing the liner.

Abstract: An insulation system for a thermal oven. The insulation system comprises a cabinet and a liner positioned within the cabinet. The liner defines an oven cavity. The liner includes opposing sides, a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A layer of insulation is positioned between the cabinet and the outside of the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The layer of insulation is positioned to create an air gap between the insulation and the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The insulation has a thermal energy reflective facing attached to an interior surface facing the liner.

Abstract: A fibrous insulation product with improved thermal resistance and method of making it are provided. A plurality of base fibers (e.g. glass) are formed into an insulation product, which may be bindered or unbonded. At least one infrared opacifying agent, such as soot, carbon black or graphite, is applied to the fibrous insulation product such that the base fibers are substantially uniformly coated with opacifying agent. The opacifying agent may be applied, for example, from a fluid suspension or by pulling the fiber through a sooty flame. When opacifying agent applied via a suspension and a binder is desired, it is preferable to avoid binder dispersions that can dislocate the opacifying agent. Alternative binder applications may include co-mingling of base fibers with binder fibers, or other physical or mechanical distributions.

Abstract: A universal mesh for a building insulation model is established from a template representing a wide range of insulation profiles, with the mesh being used for conducting one, two or three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) regarding thermal insulation factors for the building. The system and method take into account a wide range of heat related factors, including structural materials of the building, insulation components encompassing both insulation materials employed in the building process and established air pockets or gaps, and even fasteners used in the construction process.

Abstract: A universal mesh for a building insulation model is established from a template representing a wide range of insulation profiles, with the mesh being used for conducting one, two or three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) regarding thermal insulation factors for the building. The system and method take into account a wide range of heat related factors, including structural materials of the building, insulation components encompassing both insulation materials employed in the building process and established air pockets or gaps, and even fasteners used in the construction process.

Abstract: This invention relates to foam insulating products, particularly extruded polystyrene foam, containing nano-graphite as a process additive for improving the physical properties of foam products.

Abstract: An insulation system for a thermal oven. The insulation system comprises a cabinet and a liner positioned within the cabinet. The liner defines an oven cavity. The liner includes opposing sides, a top, a bottom, a front and a back. A layer of insulation is positioned between the cabinet and the outside of the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The layer of insulation is positioned to create an air gap between the insulation and the opposing sides, top, bottom and back of the liner. The insulation has a thermal energy reflective facing attached to an interior surface facing the liner.

Abstract: Polymeric foam and polymeric foam products that contain a foamable polymer material, nanographite, and 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane (HFC-134) are provided. Preferably, the foamable polymer material is an alkenyl aromatic polymer material. The foam is free of other conventional blowing agents typically utilized in preparing a foamed product. The nanographite is not chemically or surface modified and is preferably compounded in a polyethylene methyl acrylate copolymer (EMA), which is used both as a medium and a carrier for the nanographite. The nanographite may be compounded in the polymer in an amount up to 60% loading. In addition, the nanographite acts as a nucleating agent, R-value enhancer, infrared attenuating agent, lubricant, UV absorber, and process aid. The inventive foam composition produces extruded foams that have R-values that are equal to or better than conventional extruded foams produced with 1-chloro-1,1-difluoroethane (HCFC-142b).

Abstract: Polymer extruded foams that contain cell size enlarging agents are provided. The inventive composition includes a foamable polymer material, at least one blowing agent, and at least one cell size enlarging agent. The blowing agent utilized in the inventive composition is preferably selected such that the composition has a zero ozone depletion and low global warming potential. Examples include any inorganic blowing agents and/or non-hydrogenated chlorofluorocarbons (non-HCFCs). The foamable polymer material is preferably polystyrene. The cell size enlarging agent may be chosen from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and/or ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA). The cell size enlarging agent permits the formation of a foam with large cell sizes that are desirable to achieve a high insulation value and to optimize the physical properties of the foamed product. In addition, the cell size enlarging agent provides an increased cell size to the foamed product without detracting from the physical and thermal properties.

Abstract: An insulated duct-wrap insulating product for an air duct that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensed water on the duct surface to be evaporated into the atmosphere. A wicking fabric, or fibrous media, incorporated as part of the insulating duct wrap is in contact with the metal air duct surface. A portion of the wicking fabric extends into the interior of the air duct, typically through joints in the duct system. When water vapor condenses on the air duct surface it is transported by the wicking fabric and evaporated from the wick surface within the air stream being transported by the ducting system.

Abstract: An insulated duct-wrap insulating product for an air duct that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensed water on the duct surface to be evaporated into the atmosphere. A wicking fabric, or fibrous media, incorporated as part of the insulating duct wrap is in contact with the metal air duct surface. A portion of the wicking fabric extends into the interior of the air duct, typically through joints in the duct system. When water vapor condenses on the air duct surface it is transported by the wicking fabric and evaporated from the wick surface within the air stream being transported by the ducting system.

Abstract: An insulated duct-wrap insulating product for an air duct that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensed water on the duct surface to be evaporated into the atmosphere. A wicking fabric, or fibrous media, incorporated as part of the insulating duct wrap is in contact with the metal air duct surface. A portion of the wicking fabric extends into the interior of the air duct, typically through joints in the duct system. When water vapor condenses on the air duct surface it is transported by the wicking fabric and evaporated from the wick surface within the air stream being transported by the ducting system.

Abstract: An insulated duct-wrap insulating product for an air duct that incorporates a wicking media to transport condensed water on the duct surface to be evaporated into the atmosphere. A wicking fabric, or fibrous media, incorporated as part of the insulating duct wrap is in contact with the metal air duct surface. A portion of the wicking fabric extends into the interior of the air duct, typically through joints in the duct system. When water vapor condenses on the air duct surface it is transported by the wicking fabric and evaporated from the wick surface within the air stream being transported by the ducting system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously melting and refining molten glass are disclosed which comprises the steps of applying a preponderance of heat to a molten glass mass by Joule effect heating and pulsating a portion of the heat applied to the molten glass mass such that the temperature of the surface molten glass is increased and the temperature of the molten glass being withdrawn is reduced and the total energy supplied to the furnace is reduced. An electric circuit means comprising at least two interconnected electrodes is pulsated on and off at predetermined time intervals in order to establish the desired temperature profile within the molten glass mass.