Recycling of insulation foam

Insulation made from ordinary PUR foams is relatively expensive compared to polystyrene and mineral wool insulation, so there is a search for a solution that can reduce its price. This can be achieved by recovering insulation foams from dismantled refrigeration equipment. The project, which is being conducted as part of the third MAT-Lab competition, focuses on investigating three groups of polyurethane foams that can be used as fillers in new insulation materials - rigid PUR foams with recyclates.

For this purpose, a Heat Flow Meter Apparatus will be purchased, which is used to measure the thermal conductivity coefficient and thermal resistance of insulating materials. The unique design, with an open test chamber, allows the analysis of samples from 200 x 200mm upwards. This is a new development that allows larger samples to be tested without being cut or damaged.

The purchased equipment will enhance the research capabilities of the Division of Ceramic and Polymer Materials, Faculty of Material Science and Engineering, as well as other research teams at the Warsaw University of Technology.

The research conducted in the project will facilitate the preparation of projects intended for industrial implementation.

The head of the project is Professor Joanna Ryszkowska.