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Solar melt down

Paul Pollets
Paul Pollets Member Posts: 3,663
in THE MAIN WALL
The Imcolok 3/4" wall neoprene insulation melted between the time we climbed down the roof after installing the 30 tubes to start up the pump module. (Less than 7 minutes) The collector was at 260 F. The system stabilized within 10 minutes at 115 at top of collector. The system can be seen in the Solar category.

Comments

  • Mark Eatherton
    Mark Eatherton Member Posts: 5,858
    Hot, Hot HOT!!!

    Melted my share of that stuff. Have since resorted to real rubber insulation (Donkey u know what). It gets a little crisp on the inside, but doesn't melt through like that other stuff does. Has to be protected from UV degradation (painted).



    7 minutes eh...



    ME

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • Paul Rohrs_14
    Paul Rohrs_14 Member Posts: 80
    Propress

    Hey Paul,

    Are using the Propress fittings with the FKM seal?

    Paul
  • Paul Pollets
    Paul Pollets Member Posts: 3,663
    ProPress

    The fittings are ProPress...nver had a problem with any leaks on glycol.based systems.
  • Paul Pollets
    Paul Pollets Member Posts: 3,663
    Insulation

    I had some 1" wall fiberglass at the shop with some Zeston cover.  No worries for meltdown now.
  • pipe4zen
    pipe4zen Member Posts: 108
    HT insulation

    Imcolock and others also make hi-temp insulation. I special ordered

    some for my solar piping 3 1/2 years later , still looks good.
  • pipe4zen
    pipe4zen Member Posts: 108
    HT insulation

    Imcolock and others also make hi-temp insulation. I special ordered

    some for my solar piping 3 1/2 years later , still looks good.
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,398
    XHT

    extreme high temperature insulation is now available from some brands



    Armacell has a UT (ultra temperature) UT SolaFlex product out now. Not for the faint of pocketbox!



    Fiberglass works, keep it dry.



    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • TonyS
    TonyS Member Posts: 849
    Aeroflex

    This stuff works great and is reasonably priced. I use the stuff with the lap seal, it is uv protected and good for 300 f continuous. once you stick the lap over the seam it never comes off!!

    http://www.aeroflexusa.com/products/aerocel_epdm/
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,398
    EPDM rubber based insulation

    is comfortable to about 150C @ 300F. Flat plate collectors stagnate above that, evac tube WAY above that.



    Once the rubber turns crunchy the insulative value is about gone.



    New solar insulation options include fleece, mineral wool, polyurethane,, polyolfins, silicone, and high tech aerospace products like Aerogel.



    There are a bunch of low quality solar insulated tube sets on the market. They claim to be EPDM, but in fact are a very low EPDM %, blend. We have tested some solar products that harden and crumble at 200F! Still others that turn to goo at 250F.



    A good solar insulation needs the temperature rating, and also has to be water tight when exposed to outdoor conditions.



    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
  • Ross_7
    Ross_7 Member Posts: 577
    Mineral Wool

    What about mineral wool for insulation? It doesn't get ruined when wet, and is suitable for steam heating temperatures. Just curious. Thanks!
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 23,398
    sure, mineral wool works

    it is used in a lot of flat plate collectors still. It needs to be dry, of course.



    hr
    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
This discussion has been closed.

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