Aerogel: a transparent insulator for solar applications

Conference · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:5391262

Hunt, A J; Russo, R E; Tewari, P H; Lofftus, K D

Aerogel is a transparent, low density, insulating material suitable for a variety of solar applications. Significant energy savings can be realized by using aerogel for a window glazing material. Other possible applications include solar collector covers, transparent insulating jackets for direct gain passive solar devices, and situations that require both transparency and good insulation. Because silica aerogel has a low density (2 to 10% solid), it has a thermal conductivity as low as 0.014 W/m/sup 0/K without evacuation, and if evacuated, lower than 0.006 W/m/sup 0/K. It provides a clear view with only slight coloring due to its weak and nearly isotropic scattering of light. This paper describes significant progress made in the past year at our laboratory in the development of aerogel. We have improved the transparency, developed new preparation methods using less toxic materials, and initiated successful experiments in drying alcogels at near ambient temperature. Optical transmission, light scattering, and electron microscopy data show that CO/sub 2/ supercritical drying of alcogels produces aerogels similar in quality to those produced by high temperature supercritical drying. These advances make the commercial production of aerogel much more feasible.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5391262
• Report Number(s): LBL-19271; CONF-850604-16; ON: DE85016551
• Resource Relation: Conference: INTERSOL '85 - Solar energy--the diverse solution, Montreal, Canada, 23 Jun 1985; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
GLAZING MATERIALS
POROUS MATERIALS
THERMAL INSULATION
WINDOWS
BUILDINGS
DESIGN
LIGHT SCATTERING
PRODUCTION
SILICA GEL
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
ADSORBENTS
MATERIALS
OPENINGS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SCATTERING
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling
320100 - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Buildings