Engineering Aspects of Heat Transfer in Multilayer Reflective Insulation and Performance of NRC Insulation

Abstract

All types of high-performance insulation, often referred to as “superinsulation,” whether the type described by R. H. Kropschot of CEL-NBS at this conference, or that covered by Pat, Spec. 29,271/57 of the Commonwealth of Australia and French Brevet #1,178.908 granted to L. C. Matsch of Union Carbide Corporation in October, 1958, or the insulation proposed and tested in 1951 by P. Peterson, as discussed by P. Glaser of A. D. Little, Inc., or the NRC insulation, all of these high-performance insulations derive their remarkable impedance to heat flux from the effect of multiple radiation barriers. The absence of residual gas conduction by evacuation to high vacuum is essential to the proper functioning of all of these insulations. Means by which the contacting of successive reflective layers is prevented are the main subject of the above-mentioned proprietary claims.