When gas conductance/natural convection plays a major role as heat transfer path, microporous insulations reveal distinct advantages compared to Multi-Layer Insulations (MLI). For re-entry vehicles as e. g. HERMES or capsules silica and ceramic microfiber insulations have been investigated by DASA/ERNO in a temperature range up to 650 °C or, respectively, up to 1200 °C. In the frame of an ESTEC funded study three types of microporous insulations - microfiber, microsphere and polyimide foam - have been analytically and experimentally investigated as candidates for the internal insulation of a MARS-lander in a carbon-dioxide atmosphere for temperatures ranging from - 110 °C to 50 °C. This paper compares the test results with analytical heat transfer calculations and describes methods to improve the thermal insulation performance.
Heat Transfer in Porous Insulations
Sae Technical Papers
International Conference On Environmental Systems ; 1994
1994-06-01
Conference paper
English
Insulation , Ceramics , Heat transfer , Conductivity , Gases , Foams
Heat Transfer in Porous Insulations
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