Aerogels Australia’s Aerogel product provides HVAC Industry the best solution in reducing energy demand.

Aerogels Australia has completed testing of the new Spaceloft Aerogel product & it’s impact in improving thermal efficiency of cooling systems.  Testing was completed by calculating the heat gain through rigid or Exit ducting of the testing unit & analysing the impact of this heat gain on the COP (coefficient of performance) of the cooling system .

Aerogels Australia’s Spaceloft product has a material R-Value of 0.74mK/W per 10mm (highest per thickness in the World market).
Compared with general Bubble foil products of similar thickness (0.25mK/W)


The heat gain considers the heat flow through the edges and corners of the duct as well as the faces,
and is based on the external side of the duct being 75 oC. Overall, it is clear that the aerogel reduces
the heat gain by 3 times. The data also shows that under maximum flow and the lowest inlet
temperature, the heat gain through the insulation is a small percentage of the cooling capacity.
However, under lower flow rates or higher temperatures the heat gain becomes a larger factor. With
the Bubble Foil the proportion ranges from 5% to 17%. When using the aerogel the heat gain is
minimal ranging from 2% to 6%. Clearly at lower flow rates the heat gain is a significant factor
with the bubble foil but negligible with the aerogel. These proportions are based on the ideal
cooling capacity which is not derated due to the heat gain.

A more important consideration is the impact on the COP or thermal efficiency of the system. Due
to the heat gain through the duct, the cooling capacity reduces, requiring an increase in air flow rate
to meet the cooling demand in the building, increasing the fan power and consequently reducing the
COP. Using this approach the reduction in COP is provided. Overall this shows that the COP
reduction using the aerogel ranges from 3% to 16%, whereas with the Bubble Foil the reduction in
COP ranges from 9% to 43%. Therefore it is clear that with Bubble Foil the COP can reduce
significantly whereas with the aerogel, a small reduction can occur. A further consideration is the
increase in temperature each insulation will give. Under relatively higher humidity's outlet
temperatures are higher and any increase in temperature as a result of the ducting, risks the system


not being able to deliver the required comfort within the building. The largest temperature rise for
both insulation options is 1.3 oC with the Bubble Foil and 0.4 oC with the aerogel.
Within a duct, particularly at high velocities a reflective foil has no benefit as a reflective foil relies
on still air. Therefore, the primary resistance to heat flow is determined by the conductivity of the
insulation material. The performance with the aerogel represents the best case scenario as, for the
same thickness, aerogel has the highest R value of any material available outperforming
polyurethane and polystyrene. The R value has been independently assessed and these reports have
been cited and show the conductivity equal to 0.0136 W/mK at room temperature. The R value of
the material has been tested at different temperatures and there is a small reduction in the R value at
elevated temperatures as with other leading insulation materials, and this has been considered in the
calculations. The R value of the Bubble Foil is based on a thermal conductivity of 0.032 W/mK,
however published data gives values of 0.036 W/mK and above, reducing the R value to
0.22 m2K/W. Without citing any test reports the thermal conductivity cannot be verified. The R
value of the Bubble Foil is specified at room temperature and will decrease with temperature as
occurs with all materials. This information is not provided, however it was assumed to decrease at
the same rate as the aerogel. The aerogel has been tested for an equivalent 40 year life and was
found not to degrade with age, which is unlike any other insulation material. It is not clear what the
life expectancy or behaviour is of the Bubble Foil over time. Overall, aerogel has more reliable
properties than the Bubble Foil .

For further information on how Aerogels Australia Aerogel can provide value to your technology please contact
info@aerogel.com.au
Aerogels Australia servicing Australasia www.aerogel.com.au