What to use for insulation?

[FireDragon]

I have been looking at Neoprene and Buna "n" and plain on "sewing" it together to make a tight fitting sleeve to stop condensation but my REAL question is what thickness to use to stop the condensation from forming on them and what one to use...As I now know where I can get them just what one to use the water will “probably” be below -20 if all goes well…and I don’t want the pipes to look all BIG and GOMMY looking from it….

[FireDragon]

Come on ppl 16 veiws and NO responses...

[Disposibleteen]

I have been looking at Neoprene and Buna "n" and plain on "sewing" it together to make a tight fitting sleeve to stop condensation but my REAL question is what thickness to use to stop the condensation from forming on them and what one to use...As I now know where I can get them just what one to use the water will “probably” be below -20 if all goes well…and I don’t want the pipes to look all BIG and GOMMY looking from it….
good luck, i was going to suggest 1" or 3/4" thick, that might make them "big and gommy" though

[JSU]

lol 1" or 3/4"! Thats way too big for -20. you could do with 1/2in or possibly less of the grey insulation. You might need 1/2in with armaflex seing as that stuff is realy flexible but isnt the BEST insulation.

[Onycho]

Additionally, would wrapping the lines in aluminum tape assist in keeping temps down so he wouldn't have to use such thick insulation? :confused:

[unixxx]

Wouldn't that conduct heat more?

[Byron]

What is the best insulation then :confused:
I see many ppl using 9mm or 13mm armaflex insulation (neoprene) sheets... hope that helps.

Edited: just checked armaflex website, the insulation sheets can be assured to insulate down to -50 degrees Celcius (class 0 neoprene)

[Tyrou]

for a chiller's hoses, 9mm would be enough, but 13mm will probably be better :)

[FireDragon]

So really there is "no" way not make the pipes monstrous? as that is kinda what I really didn't want...also how thick of insulation should I use on the blocks? I was thinking like 6mm neoprene on the pipes and a lair or so on the blocks or will that not be enough for -20 or below? As 6mm all the way around is like adding 12mm to the pipes size and that will look like crap...but o well...

[FireDragon]

What is the best insulation then :confused:
I see many ppl using 9mm or 13mm armaflex insulation (neoprene) sheets... hope that helps.

Edited: just checked armaflex website, the insulation sheets can be assured to insulate down to -50 degrees Celcius (class 0 neoprene)

At what thickness? can it go down to -50 at? like 9mm or even thicker...I "guess" (lol i have no choice really) that 9mm would be alright...

[Byron]

yeah that's what i'm thinking... one other thing.
What sort of tubes you guys are using on your waterchillers?
I guess PVC tubing is out of the question for sub zero temps right?

Ta,
B

[FireDragon]

I "think" that they use tygon not exactly sure though...i need to know that also i am just kinda learning about this myself...

[dward3]

yeah that's what i'm thinking... one other thing.
What sort of tubes you guys are using on your waterchillers?
I guess PVC tubing is out of the question for sub zero temps right?

Ta,
B

Clearflex or Tygon R-3603 (vacuum tubing) will do.

Tygon R-3603 Physical Properties shows the
Brittleness By Impact Temp. is rated @ ˚F (˚C) -58 (-50). :slobber:

[Byron]

Nice :D
Wondering if Clearflex will do because Tygon is double the price of the Clearflex!!!

[dward3]

How low are you expecting your temp to be? It might be risky to get the clearflex60. Here's the PDF file /FlexCatalog.
Click-here (http://www.flextubing.com/Media/PDF/FlexCatalog.pdf) :)

Operating Temperature Range:
ClearFLEX 60 - (°F) –25 to 160
Ether-PUR FLEX 84 or 85 - (°F) –70 to to 175

[Byron]

Ah thanks very much ;)
Well the temp on the evaporator is -25 and that is without submerged into the tank which is filled with water/antifreeze mix. Dynno, maybe it will go down to -30 ?
Will get a measurement when i finish the setup next week.

[dward3]

I saw some toxic and BIO safe anti-freeze at Starbrite.com (http://www.starbrite.com/atfreez.htm) today.

[FireDragon]

Hmm... back on "my" insulation topic please :)...

[Byron]

Well, you could use insulation tape (3mm thick) and cover the pipes with it... should be ok for -30's. But if the pipes are getting frosty then just might not do.

[dward3]

The grey armaflex JSU mentioned would be okay. Its only like 2 clams at Home Depot. ;)

[FireDragon]

I was looking at the tape but like I said (or maybe it was another forum) wont the cold make it not want to stick? I know that you put it on when the pipes are at room temp but once it is cold for a few days wont it just kinda fall off...idk I guess that I could then sleeve it to keep it on...I was shooting for -40 and maybe even below...

[dward3]

The insulation tape is pretty sticky if you ask me. Sorry for my last. ;)