Determining the Specific Heat of Powdered Insulation

ABSTRACT

A technique is presented for the determination of specific heat of a new generation of powdered insulation suitable for the annular space of a large cryogenic storage tank. The method uses a copper sensing cup into which a small amount of heated insulation powder is poured. J and K-type thermocouples measure the temperature loss of the powder and the corresponding temperature gain of the cup. In order for the energy gain of the cup to equal the energy loss of the powder, the entire cell is wrapped with a cryogenic blanket, and for some of the tests, subject to a partial vacuum. Equating the energy loss from the powder to the energy gain of the cup over a short period of about 60 seconds yields the specific heat of the powder. The results of applying this method to the study of 10-70 micron glass spheres and aerogel beads are presented and discussed. Study of this material becomes timely since these products may find application in efficient cryogenic storage of fuel cell products made by wind and solar plants located in areas not connected to a power grid. This work was done by undergraduate students at Metropolitan State College of Denver.

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