wet mineral wool insulation
wet mineral wool insulation
(OP)
short of contacting mineral wool insulation mfg's...
in the event of mineral wool insulation becoming wet, does the insulation retain insulation properties once the insulation is dried?
frankly, how is insulation dried with 0.032" lagging applied? i suppose completely removing the lagging & insulation from equipment and then reapply the insulation & lagging. it seems to me that handling wet insulation is fruitless as the weight of water in the insulation will damaged the insulation. also, seems cheaper and more effective in replacing wet insulation that trying to dry it. actually, cheaper to provide a barrier to prevent moisture from contacting the insulation.
thanks!
-pmover
in the event of mineral wool insulation becoming wet, does the insulation retain insulation properties once the insulation is dried?
frankly, how is insulation dried with 0.032" lagging applied? i suppose completely removing the lagging & insulation from equipment and then reapply the insulation & lagging. it seems to me that handling wet insulation is fruitless as the weight of water in the insulation will damaged the insulation. also, seems cheaper and more effective in replacing wet insulation that trying to dry it. actually, cheaper to provide a barrier to prevent moisture from contacting the insulation.
thanks!
-pmover





RE: wet mineral wool insulation
My problems was with steam lines and what I used to do was to remove the lagging and let the moisture evaporate. My energy losses might have equalled the reinsulation cost but time was the factor for me(and I had enough boiler capacity
I too feel reinsulation would be a better solution.
Regards,
RE: wet mineral wool insulation
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Corrosion never sleeps, but it can be managed.
http://www.trenttube.com/Trent/tech_form.htm
RE: wet mineral wool insulation
RE: wet mineral wool insulation
oh, insulation mfg claims insulation is water repellant. however, i believe that is the case for an uncut insulation board. once cut, that cut portion of insulation no long has water repellant capabilities.
otherwise, thanks for the responses.
-pmover
RE: wet mineral wool insulation
It is not the mineral wool per se that does the insulating, although mineral wool does have insulating qualities, it is the air trapped by the loosely "woven" mineral wool or similar material (fiberglass, etc.,) that gives you the insulation value.
Therefore if it compacts, you have less air trapped, and less effective insulation.
You just reminded me, I have mineral wool in the attic. It is time to go up with a yard rake, and fluff that stuff up.
rmw
RE: wet mineral wool insulation
When the insulation is first seriously heated, the binders burn off, and the fibers are thereafter just sort of sitting there, in the installed position. Attempts to remove and reinstall used insulation are generaly futile, because the fibers are no longer bonded.
Given the relatively low operating temperature stated, even a factory 'burn in' might not remove the binders, unless they did an elevated temperature test. If the binders have been removed or weakened, then rain could easily dislodge the insulation fibers, and drying won't restore the fibers to their original positions and the insulation won't be properly effective ever again.
If the insulation had never been heated after installation, then the rain should not permanently affect its insulating properties, unless the particular binders used are water- soluble.
I'd be inclined to ask the insulation mfgr for some assurance in writing, and to soak a small sample in a pan of water and see what happens.
I'd also be inclined to find out if the contractor was _contractually_ obligated to protect the new equipment. Okay, that would be just morbid curiosity on my part; if lawyers get involved, they will read his contract very carefully.
Mike Halloran
NOT speaking for
DeAngelo Marine Exhaust Inc.
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA