Chiller Insulation Blankets

Chiller insulation blankets are becoming the standard replacement insulation for factory applied chiller insulation. The factory applies insulation to the low temperature surfaces such as the evaporator, water boxes and suction elbow. The insulation is usually ¾” thick rubber insulation with a K factor of 0.3 Btu-in./hr.-ft²-°F. If maintenance is required on any of the low temperature areas of the chiller and the insulation is affected, it must be removed.

This “rubber” type of insulation (Armaflex, Rubatex, Kflex, aeroflex and others) is typically glued to the surface. When removing glued-on insulation care must be taken to make sure all of the glue and small pieces of rubber that are adhered are removed. This removal process is costly. The question is, when the maintenance work is completed is rubber insulation going to be reapplied? If the rubber insulation is reused, then the next time maintenance is required the insulation will have to be scraped off. When maintenance is complete, the insulation will have to be reapplied with new insulation. This is a costly and time consuming process!

How can this be avoided? Removable insulation blankets can be fabricated to perfectly fit the low temperature surfaces and avoid the need to physically remove glued-on insulation. Removable insulation drastically reduces the cost of reapplying the rubber insulation after the initial maintenance is completed and the need to scrape off glued on insulation is eliminated. Removable insulation blankets offer the user an opportunity to use a far more thermally efficient type of insulation.

As mentioned earlier the typical “rubber type” of insulation has a K factor of 0.3 Btu·in/h·ft²·°F. Aerogel insulations, which are hydrophobic and are the most thermally efficient solid insulation available offer much lower K factors. For example Pyrogel XT-E has a K factor of 0.15 Btu·in/h·ft²·°F, Pyrogel XT-E is typically used in high temperature applications. Cryogel Z, aerogel insulation is more appropriate of an insulation choice as the K factor for 45°F (typical chiller temperature) is 0.1 Btu·in/h·ft²·°F.

Now, the chiller is insulated with a more thermally efficient insulation, which will save energy dollars. The chiller insulation is now removable and reusable, thereby eliminating the hefty costs of removing and reinstalling insulation entirely. The cost savings can be immense! The best course of action is to contact Thermaxx Jackets and ask about our Chiller removable, reusable insulation blankets.