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[jimmason]

i've started some pages on gasifier relevant insulation in the gek wiki.  

- there is a page with charts on raw insulation / thermal conductivity of various materials http://gekgasifier.p...Insulation-Data .  

- and then a page on specific insulation products we've found to be helpful and where to get them http://gekgasifier.p...lative-Products

this insulation index is just starting.  it would be wonderfully helpful if others with info related to insulation data and sources could add things to the list.

insulation for gasifiers needs to be concerned with both insulative performance and tolerance to high temperature.  in general, as high temperature tolerance increases, insulative performance decreases.  most of the refractory ceramics that are survive high temps very well, also tend to be relatively poor insulators.  of course money and esoteric materials can find exceptions to this trend, but such is the starting point from which to get oriented.  one can also consider layering insulation materials, so that temp resistance is favored against the heat source, and insulative performance is favored for surrounding layers.

note that some relatively common materials and inexpensive materials are good insulators.  exotic high cost insulators are not necessarily an improvement.   the charts shows numerically why we have found Perlite to be a great insulative value.

mcmaster carr, as usual, well organizes the basic options.  wandering their insulation section you can survey the options from low to high temp, and the related insulative performance.  see here: http://www.mcmaster....ulation/=2kw2q2

i've been buying samples of many of the options and assessing them for gasifier relevance.  of particular interest from mcmaster i've found so far-

- the adhesive backed ceramic rope/tape reference here awhile ago. 1/8" thick by 1" wide  see mcmaster. 4057K3. great for hot gaskets and vessel flanges.

- a 1/8" thick fiberglass paper of 16" width that will take 700C.  it is an unusually high temp tolerant fiberglass  see mcmaster  9323K21.  we are now using this to insulate the inside of the gek gas cowling, now that we have something relevant to do with the excess outgoing gas heat (i.e. fuel heating auger).  a separate ss sheet cylinder springs it out and holds it to the wall.

- mineral wool tubes for pipe or auger insulation.  mcmaster 9364K22

- mineral wool loose fluffy for hand fill. mcmaster 9332K65

there is a bunch more to consider.  these were just some of the highlights i tried and liked.


jim