Buildings tend to lose heat during the winter and keep heat in during the summer. Insulation keeps the thermal heat where it is wanted. There are three mechanisms of heat energy transfer these are Convection, conduction and radiation.
When heat flows through by air to areas and spaces that are not heated this is known as ‘Convection’; when heat is transferred from a hot bowl of soup, to the knees the bowl is resting on this is known as ‘Conduction’; when a solid object is heated by the suns rays this is known as ‘Radiation’.
The main reason to use thermal insulation in buildings is to have control over the internal temperature to maintain comfort at minimal cost.
The suitability of an insulant for a given situation does not only depend upon its temperature tolerance but its performance is also determined by the speed at which heat (or cold) progresses through the material. This is known as Thermal Conductivity.
The aim would be to select the product which has the lowest thermal conductivity for its required operating temperature. Thermal conductivity varies greatly between differing products at any given temperature, therefore it is essential to know that what you are buying will offer the best long term cost saving.
NIC have been providing thermal insulation services to industrial and commercial sectors since 1981.Over the years NIC have developed modern methods for the manufacture and installation of thermal insulation. NIC is home to an in-house fabrication facility and is fully equipped with the latest technology, enabling NIC to provide high quality products at very competitive prices.
Advancements in insulation standards and a shortage of skilled labour prompted NIC to invest heavily in the very latest computerised Mabi Bingo sheet metal fabrication machines eliminating the need to manufacture on site, therefore ensuring a better controlling quality
By utilising NIC’s vast experience and industry expertise, NIC provide advice regarding all aspects of thermal insulation. From heat loss calculations and suitable insulation products, to various sheet metal finishes, NIC provide a solution for specific requirements.
Whilst a majority of contracts involve the application of thermal insulation to pipe work and vessels, we are often called upon to insulate buildings and structures. NIC carry out insulation projects that deal with an extreme range of temperatures from high to low over a vast variety of subjects and locations.
Both mineral wool and phenolic foam will insulate a pipe having a surface temperature of 100°C, however mineral wool at 100°C has a thermal conductivity of 0.045 watts/mK whilst phenolic has a thermal conductivity of 0.18 watts/MK meaning that heat travels through mineral wool 50% faster than through phenolic.
Phenolic however is more expensive thickness for thickness than mineral wool so to equalize the relative performance one can reduce the thickness of phenolic by up to 50% in most cases, relative to mineral wool.
This then makes phenolic competitive but only mineral wool can cope with constant temperature above 150°C where phenolic starts to fail.
It is therefore essential that you should contact NIC where any doubt exists.
CALL US NOW FOR ADVICE ON ANY THERMAL INSULATION TOPIC OR PROJECT WE ARE WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU.
