Insulation

[Chris]

If anyone in or near ChCh needs to insulate their tanks, I can recommend Nexus.

They have Al covered self adhesive foam in 5, 10, 15, 20 & 25mm thicknesses.

I cost me about $25 to do my HLT in 10mm.  They also supply high quality Al tape (U.S. made) to finish it off.

Call Linc at Nexus 03 9770090 for price list.

http://www.nexusinsulation.com/

[Crusader-Rob]

is there any links or pictures you can offer? I'll be looking at this in 3-6 months

[David Upex]

Is that stuff fire proof can I wrap the sides of my kettle in it and heat using my burner?

[Crusader-Rob]

what sort of prices?

[Chris]

It's available in 1m or 1.2m widths. As an example, the 10mm stuff is $20.18+GST per sq metre.  Not sure about flame proof, but it's certainly OK for 100°C kettle walls.  I'll do some pics this w/e.

[Chad Keven]

while we're on this topic....does anyone have a tip for gas fire HLT insulation? my HLT should be fairly well sheilded from gas flames, but still not sure what to use.

[Chris]

Here's my HLT sporting it's new attire. Was fairly easy to do. I may trim the top edge back and finish with Aluminium tape. Tha tank is 85L.

[mattd2]

Very nice Chris, where did you get the 85L vessel from, any details? and price?

[Chris]

It's one end of an old hot water cylinder with some bits welded on. 3kW cylinder element.  Home made steel stand. The other end will be my kettle eventually.  Think the whole cylinder was $100. I also made a borosilicate sight glass tube (removed for insulation installation) which works well - doesn't cloud up like the polycarb ones. Just need a lid!

[Matthew Vincent]

Hi Chris

How's the 10mm product going? I've made contact with the rep from up this way (North Island) and he's suggesting the 15 - 20mm thick product.

Did you use the 'adhesive backed' product or just tape the outside tightly with the Al tape?

I see on their 'Installation Instructions' sheet they say -

"It is recommended not to glue the first layer to the walls of the vessel as Thermobreak Sheet will expand as the vessel will reach operating temperature. This could force the insulation to tear away from the adhesive. Allowance should be made for expansion and contraction of the insulation".

I'm thinking a couple layers of the 10mm product could be best, with the outer layer having the adhesive backing?? Maybe the 10mm alone is sufficient??

Keen to hear any feedback

[Chris]

Hi

Haven't cranked it up yet, but I used the adhesive backed.  As for thickness, I think it's very much diminishing returns.  I haven't done the calcs, but doubling the insulation will only fractionally decrease heat loss as the delta T has been reduced so much by the first layer.  I'll post some temps of the outside & inside when I use it next.  May be a couple of weeks as I'm still modding stuff!