GLAPOR put also his first steps into the industrial insulation world where a larger thickness is not an issue. Although this world is very well closed, GLAPOR is invited to offer for the thermal insulation of tank bottoms.

For that reason, Fraunhofer IBP in Stuttgart has measured the thermal conductivity between -150°C and 250°C on a 1000 kPa foam. Comparison with classic cellular glass shows that about 25% more thickness is needed for the same mechanical stability.

Tank bottom insulation refers to the thermal insulation under the steel tank, which has to carry the weight of the cold liquid. In the case of liquid natural gas, we speak about -162°C. The better the thermal insulation of the tank, the less liquid will evaporate. In most cases, the cellular glass under the ring of the tank has to carry the load of the moving liquid during an earth quake. For that reason, compressive strengths up to 2400 kPa are some times requested.

For your information, we add the technical report from Fraunhofer with the equation, which describes the thermal conductivity in function of the temperature.