Boiler Insulation

[Fred Nightingale 1Participant @frednightingale1]

I am trying to renovate an old 6″ Horizontal test boiler. When I removed the outer casing I discovered there is a lot of 1/4″ sheet Asbestos insulation which I intend to remove. The question is what do I use in its place?

Someone has suggested Ceramic tiles. If so where can I get them or is there some other type of material I could use?

 

Fred

[Fred Nightingale 1Participant @frednightingale1]

Asbestos

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi Fred, I once used some ceramic matting type material many years ago where I used to work, this was about 20mm thick. Don’t know if it is available in any other thickness or where it is obtainable from, but it could be cut and formed round any shape required.

 

Don’t know if you removing asbestos is legit’, as it is normally only allowed by licensed people who can despose of it safely. A lot of regulations abouit that stuff now.

 

Regards Nick.

[Roderick JenkinsParticipant @roderickjenkins93242]

Ceramic fibre insulation sheet is available in various thicknesses. Google should find commercial suppliers. Blackgates list it on their website but I don’t have a current catalogue to see what exactly they stock.

 

Rod

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Look for something like Kaowool, its a manmade fibre. I’m using two layers of teh 1/16″ thick with a sheet of baking foil between on my Fowler (5″ boiler, 1/8″ gap) you can get it in thicker sheets or just double up. Not expensive you should be able to do a 6″ boiler for under a tenner.

 

If you can’t find it then M J Engineering stock it.

 

http://www.mjeng.co.uk/

 

J

 

Edit blackgates also do teh Kaowool in 1mm, 2mm and 1/4″

Edited By JasonB on 03/03/2011 15:41:26

[Fred Nightingale 1Participant @frednightingale1]

Hi Jason

 

Is the material you are talking about rigid as it has to be bolted to the side of the fire box walls. There is currently 2 sheets of 1/4″ Asbestos bolted to all sides.

 

Regards Fred

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

No its just like fabric (blanket in 1/4″) and wrapped around the boiler then covered with the cladding.

 

For something rigid then the skamolex insulation sheets that chronos do may be more suitable but they are 13mm thick though it saws easily. This is like a Mica cement material but does reflect the heat back very well, I use a sheet and 3 of the blocks for my soldering hearth.

 

Jason

Edited By JasonB on 03/03/2011 18:21:20

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Another material that is a lot more like asbestose sheet is Superlux, you should be able to get this from a good builders merchant (Travis Perkins do it) or panel specialist, the skamolex can be a bit crumbly. Masterboard and Monolux are similar boards but I don’t remember them comming any thinner than 1/2″

 

J

Edited By JasonB on 03/03/2011 18:35:54

[Geoff TheasbyParticipant @geofftheasby]

I bought some flexible boiler insulation sheet, from Chronos I believe, which was about 2 mm thick. It was very effective, it reduced fuel consumption by about 25% over the naked boiler.

 

Regards

Geoff

[NilochParticipant @niloch]

Terrence Holland uses calcium silicate sheets for his Yarrow boiler ME 4380/4383. It is supplied (in Spain) in sheets 500mm x 500mm x 5mm thick and is heat resistant to 1,100deg C.

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

Would this be suitable for boiler insulation ?

**LINK**

 

Edited By Brian John on 31/12/2014 07:02:11

[Boiler BriParticipant @boilerbri]

Probably not Brian. The matting is too 'open' in the weave. I find the best stuff is kaowool as mentioned above. It is easy to shape and multiple layers can be added held in place by fine wire twisted up at the ends before the cladding is added.

Fred, if you think the old insulation is asbestos then you had better get in touch with your local authority. You will be guided to take it to a company who specialises in the removal of asbestos. They may evan have a safe environment set up for such small carry in items.

Brian

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

I cannot find a supplier of Kaowool in Australia.

[michael howarth 1Participant @michaelhowarth1]

 

 

Try Unifrax Australia.

Alternatively Google Pottery Suppliers who will usually list all manner of useful insulating stuff under "Refractory Materials". I find that these are good people to talk to regarding heat insulation as they have a lot of experience in it and can usually supply stuff in small quantities.

Mick

Just as an aside, it took me three attempts tp get this post accepted. A box kept popping up saying that as it was 23930 long it could not be accepted. What's all that about?

Edited By mick H on 31/12/2014 07:49:28

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Brian, EJ Winter who are in Oz list 1/16" thick boiler insulation sold by the square foot.

Page 28 on their pricelist

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Brian John on 31/12/2014 07:23:09:

I cannot find a supplier of Kaowool in Australia.

.

Brian,

I know it's a big country … but Morgan does have a location.

Presumably they could advise.

MichaelG.

.

Edit: they also have good technical data about the materials.

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 31/12/2014 08:49:25

[Keith HaleParticipant @keithhale68713]

Skamollex bricks and kaowool blanket readily available. **LINK**

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

I was looking in the wrong places : the pottery and ceramic supply shops have ceramic fibre sheets which is 2mm thick X 610mm wide and $20 per metre. It is rated at 1260 degrees Celsius.

What do they use it for ?

[pgk pgkParticipant @pgkpgk17461]

Posted by Brian John on 15/01/2015 05:12:08:

I was looking in the wrong places : the pottery and ceramic supply shops have ceramic fibre sheets which is 2mm thick X 610mm wide and $20 per metre. It is rated at 1260 degrees Celsius.

What do they use it for ?

I use them as a gasket for the access port of my woodburner flue for sweeping and gaskets around the woodburner door glass.

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Fred,

You may know this already, but for the benefit of anyone who reads this searching for advice on how to deal with this sort of issue:

Fort a small amount of asbestos, you should be able to double bag it and take it to the Council waste facility. They have a duty to accept small quantities of domestic waste. Wear a dust mask and clothes you can throw away while handling it. You can double bag and give the old clothes to the Council as well. Keeping the asbestos damp can help avoid raising dust as well.

Most councils have detailed guidance on their websites.

Neil

[Brian JohnParticipant @brianjohn93961]

Should the ceramic fibre sheets be handled with gloves and mask ?

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Brian John on 19/01/2015 08:21:38:

Should the ceramic fibre sheets be handled with gloves and mask ?

.

Brian

Here is the "base" MSDS for Kaowool

It is much less hazardous than Asbestos, but still needs treating with repect.

• The level of risk will vary according to how "processed" the sheet product is …
• Put the brand name of the actual material that you are using, plus the letters MSDS, into google and you should find a more specific data.

MichaelG.

[michael coleParticipant @michaelcole91146]

My local council needs all asbestos to be bagged in heavy 500 gauge vescreen.

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