Flokser Kimya Polyurethane Insulation Solutions for Solar Energy Systems

The oldest known foam material is wood, which occurs naturally and is classified as cellulose foam, while the first commercial foam material is rubber sponge, an open-cell polymeric material introduced in 1910. Polymer-based foam materials are increasingly preferred in daily life and certain specialized applications due to their light weight and good thermal insulation properties. Additionally, their relatively high strength per unit weight and lower dielectric constant are other important advantages. Polymeric foams are extremely useful engineering materials that can be easily produced in many different structural forms using various methods with physical or chemical blowing agents. Since cell morphology in foam structure significantly alters the material's structural, thermal, mechanical and insulation properties, it is one of the most important factors to be considered in product design and development. Polymeric foams are classified into two main groups according to cell morphology: open-cell and closed-cell. If the foam is closed-cell, it is used in applications requiring strength and for thermal insulation purposes, while if it has open cells, it finds application in sectors such as furniture and automotive.

Today, among polymeric foams, polyurethane foams stand out due to their low density and thermal conductivity properties, as well as their high mechanical properties and ease of application.

Our energy dependence, rapid depletion of oil reserves, negative environmental impacts of existing resources, and investments by developed countries to obtain energy from renewable and alternative sources have prompted them to develop strategies in this direction. Polyurethane foams provide a solution in solar energy systems for maintaining the temperature of the liquid inside boilers. These systems, applied using high or low pressure machines or free casting without molding, provide ease of application due to their low thermal conductivity and good adhesion properties to metal. The application conditions and physical properties of products developed by Flokser Kimya for thermal insulation outside boilers in the solar energy sector and hot water tank heaters are presented in Table 1. [caption id="attachment_102893" align="aligncenter"] Table 1. Technical specifications of our polyurethane systems for solar energy systems and hot water tanks[/caption] Products coded Creapol RD 1242/34 and Creapol RD 1240/40 have low thermal conductivity, high dimensional stability and mechanical properties. The product coded Creapol RD 1242/34 offers consumption advantages to users due to its low free density, while the product coded Creapol RD 1240/40 stands out with its superior mechanical properties. [caption id="attachment_102894" align="aligncenter"] Figure 1. Solar energy systems[/caption]   Yusuf Yivlik Research and Development Specialist Flokser Kimya