Stability of Thermal Insulation Properties of Basalt Thermal Insulation

Reducing heat losses during the transportation of heat carriers is one of the most important tasks for improving the energy efficiency of heat supply. Thermal insulation made of rock wool is widely used for insulation of high-temperature equipment and pipelines transporting hot water and steam. In the manufacture of thermal insulation, manufacturers use various polymer binders to bond fibers. However, high temperatures of insulated surfaces lead to thermal decomposition of the polymer binder, which can lead to a decrease in the thermal insulation properties of materials and an increase in heat loss during operation. The paper examines the change in the coefficient of thermal conductivity of basalt thermal insulation during thermal degradation of a polymer binder. A series of experiments was conducted. at which the temperature on the surface of the heater was maintained at 100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C, 400 °C. Measurements were carried out on the samples before heat treatment, as well as after heat treatment in a furnace at 650 °C for 12 hours. It is shown that during the thermal degradation of the binder, the coefficient of thermal conductivity increases by 20%. It also shows how the arrangement of fibers in the material affects the increase in thermal conductivity. According to the results of the thermogravimetric analysis, it is shown that in the temperature range from 240 °C to 650 °C, the binder completely decomposes. It is shown how the thermal decomposition of the binder increases the water absorption of basalt thermal insulation.