Vacuum Insulation

The thermal insulation properties of a vacuum are superior compared to traditional insulation materials. The efficiency of an insulating material is often measured by its R-value, which indicates its resistance to heat flow. Higher R-values mean better insulation. The absence of air in a vacuum significantly reduces the transfer of heat through gas, commonly referred to as convection, resulting in an R-value four to ten times higher than traditional insulation materials. Consequently, vacuum insulation has been utilized in various applications like storage tanks for liquid gases, building insulation panels, and window glass.

Vacuum Insulation Panels

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) are rapidly emerging as groundbreaking technology in thermal insulation. These are thin, flat panels with a hermetically sealed cavity evacuated to a vacuum pressure typically less than 1E-1 mbar. Typical applications for VIPs include building insulation, refrigerators, freezers, and aerospace.

Gas Storage and Transportation

Cryogenic gases like liquid nitrogen, hydrogen, oxygen, and natural gas need to be maintained at very low temperatures to keep these gases in a liquid state. Storage tanks and supply lines for liquid gases are typically insulated using vacuum, achieved by a permanently sealed double wall evacuated to a vacuum pressure. Hydrogen, in particular, is essential in the green energy transformation, making it critically important to transport and store liquid hydrogen to minimize temperature rise.

Vacuum Measurement for Insulation

The broad measuring range and capabilities in the 10E-6 mbar range make the Sens4 MEMS Pirani technology an excellent choice for insulation vacuum measurement. Sens4 offers highly integrative measurement solutions, and our handheld, portable TVC-1 Display is the preferred choice for in-field service and insulation vacuum checks. During manufacturing of vacuum insulation panels or gas storage tanks measurement and control of vacuum is also required.