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Figure 1 makes comparisons easy
Please examine Figure 1. It shows conductance values based on data sheets from two insulation manufacturers. They are presented in a way easily understood. You can readily compare the appropriate properties of insulation we use with those our competitor uses.

As you can see from Figure 1, fiberglass conducts virtually the same amount of heat as mineral wool. But 6 inches of either material conducts only half as much heat as 3 inches of either material. So the difference is in the thickness-not in the type of material.

Thus, the claim that 3 inches of insulation is equal to our 6 inches of insulation is false. Moreover, the heat loss for the competitor’s tank is over 178 million Btu/yr more than ours. The energy savings from using our tanks quickly pay for the extra insulation thickness.

Figure 1. Comparison of insulations used on asphalt storage tanks.

Type of Insulation

T
h
i
c
k
n
e
s
s

Thermal Conductance
(at 200°F mean temperature)

Thermal Resistance

k (conductivity)
(for 1” thickness)

C (conductance)
(for total thickness)

R-value (R=1/k)
(for 1” thickness)

R-value (R=1/C)
(for total thickness)

Owens-Corning 701M fiberglass blanket. Heatec uses 6 inches (two layers of 3 inches) around all of our asphalt storage tanks (See Figures 3 and 4)

1”

0.350

0.350

3

3

2”

-

0.175

-

6

3”

-

0.117

-

9

4”

-

0.088

-

11

6”

-

0.056

-

17

Fibrex mineral wool tank wrap. Our competitor uses one layer of 3 inches around their asphalt storage tanks.

1”

0.360

0.360

3

3

2”

-

0.180

-

6

3”

-

0.120

-

8

4”

-

0.090

-

11

6”

-

0.060

-

17


NOTES:

1. The term k refers to the amount of heat transferred through insulation 1-inch thick. It is Btu per hour, per square foot, per degree F temperature difference, per inch of thickness of insulation. Temperature difference is the difference between the temperature on one side of the insulation and that on the opposite side of the insulation.

2. The term C (conductance) refers to the amount of heat transferred through the total thickness of insulation. It is Btu per hour, per square foot, per degree F temperature difference, per specified thickness of the insulation.

3. The difference between k (conductivity) and C (Conductance) has to do with insulation thickness. C has the same value as k when the insulation is 1-inch thick.

4. R-values refer to the resistance to heat transfer, which is just the opposite of conductance. The R-value for 1 inch insulation is 1 divided by k. The R-value for total thickness is 1 divided by C. (R-values are commonly known as reciprocals of k and C and shown as 1/k and 1/C).

5. All values shown above are for a mean temperature of 200°F. This is the appropriate mean temperature for asphalt stored at 300°F. Please note that values of conductance (k and c) do vary significantly with mean temperature. Those values are smaller for lower mean temperatures and larger for higher temperatures. So, it is essential to know the correct mean temperature and use the same temperature for all comparisons. Moreover, since R-values are calculated as reciprocals of k and C, they too relate to a specific temperature. This means that R-values cannot be compared with each other unless all are based on values of k and C for the same temperature. Otherwise R-values are meaningless.

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© 2003 Heatec, Inc
Heatec, Inc. 5200 Wilson Road Chattanooga, Tennessee 37410
www.heatec.com (423) 821-5200 (800) 235-5200 Fax(423) 821-7673

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