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Methodology and investigation into quantity of residual blowing agent in insulation foams.

Number: 0590

Author(s) : LAWTON R., RHODES C., MYNOTT T.

Summary

Most insulation material is manufactured by expanding a polymer with a blowing agent. The blowing agent usually  has  a  boiling  point  at  around  standard  temperature  and  pressure  (STP).  Due  to  environmental  concerns,  blowing  agents  for  insulating  foam  over  the  last  few  decades  have  changed  from chlorofluorocarbons to hydrofluorocarbons and now hydrocarbons.  
After expansion of the foam a residual quantity of blowing agent remains and slowly leaches out contributing to the ageing of the foam. However, even after thirty years blowing agent still exists within the foam and can be detected.
Some government agencies now place recovery targets of on the recycling industry. The initial value appears to be the 90% target set by WEEELABEX, a European Standards agency, and assumes the quantity of blowing agent to be 8.5% w/w of blowing agent for fluorocarbon blown insulating foam or 3.5% w/w of blowing agent for hydrocarbon blown insulating foam.
A method was developed of taking samples of foam extracting the residual blowing agent, identifying what it was and measuring the quantity present.
Data is presented on the analysis of the residual blowing agent in insulation foam samples from different sources and fabricated from a variety of materials after a service life of 15‐20 years.

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Pages: 9

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Details

  • Original title: Methodology and investigation into quantity of residual blowing agent in insulation foams.
  • Record ID : 30031787
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: Proceedings of the 26th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration: Paris , France, August 21-25, 2023.
  • Publication date: 2023/08/21
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.icr.2023.0590

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