Maximizing insulation (conduction, convection and radiation)

In summary, special insulation tiles or granules are available that will fill the space between the insulation and the copper block, or a layer of industrial fabric insulation material can be applied.
  • #1
_Bd_
109
0
Hi,
Its been a while since I had my thermal heat transfer classes and I am a little skeptical on what I remember.

Im trying to insulate a copper block, the sides are covered by an insulating material which has a low thermal conductivity (they are touching). Howver there is a surface on the top which I want to cover to minimize radiation/convection heat loss.

I know the best results are from very reflective materials that have low absorptivity and high emmissivity, say aluminum foil. However would this not backfire if the aluminum foil is touching the copper? (Say I just put a thin sheet of aluminum foil on top of that surface).

My logic says the aluminum would absorb a lot of heat via conduction and radiate most of it out due to its high emmissivity.

My logic says in order for the aluminum to be a good radiation insulation it has to be a small distance away from the copper block to have still air in between that minimizes convection/conduction and the radiation is reflected back. I just wanted to confirm if my reasoning is correct with some respectable folks like this community.

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Thank you!
 
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  • #2
_Bd_ said:
I know the best results are from very reflective materials that have low absorptivity and high emmissivity, say aluminum foil.
Absorptivity and emissivity for a given wavelength are always the same. They can be different for different wavelength ranges. What is the temperature of your copper block?

If the aluminium touches the copper, it has the same temperature, then a low emissivity=absorptivity is useful. On the other hand, convection might be the dominant heat loss process, then the foil does nothing. An air gap increases insulation significantly as it reduces convective losses significantly and also radiative losses a bit.
 
  • #3
Put an insulation tile on the top . Special ones are available but piece of bathroom tile will work almost as well .

Or layer of industrial fabric insulation material .

Or fill gap with insulation granules .
 

What is the purpose of maximizing insulation?

The purpose of maximizing insulation is to reduce the transfer of heat energy between two objects or spaces. By minimizing the flow of heat through insulation, the temperature difference between the two objects can be maintained, resulting in improved energy efficiency and cost savings.

What is conduction and how does it relate to insulation?

Conduction is the transfer of heat energy through direct contact between two objects. Insulation works by reducing the flow of heat through conduction, often by using materials with low thermal conductivity and creating air pockets to slow down the transfer of heat.

How does convection impact insulation?

Convection is the transfer of heat energy through the movement of fluids, such as air or water. Insulation can be designed to minimize convection by creating barriers that prevent air or water from circulating and carrying heat away from the desired area.

What role does radiation play in maximizing insulation?

Radiation is the transfer of heat energy through electromagnetic waves. Insulation can help reduce the flow of heat through radiation by using materials that reflect or absorb these waves, such as reflective foils or thick layers of insulation.

What are some common materials used for insulation and how do they differ in terms of effectiveness?

Common materials used for insulation include fiberglass, cellulose, foam, and reflective materials. These materials differ in terms of their thermal conductivity, thickness, and ability to block different types of heat transfer. For example, reflective materials are more effective at reducing radiant heat, while foam is better at minimizing air flow and convection.

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