Application of Silica Aerogel as Cryogenic Insulation

The work deals with the study on the evaluation of silica aerogel blanket for cryogenic applications in space launch vehicles. An experimental investigation has been done to compare the thermal conductivities, thermal resistance of insulation of aerogel based insulations with foam insulations by simulating cryogenic conditions at room temperature and pressure. The study evaluates thermal parameters on the basis of insulation thicknesses and cryogen evaporation kinetics. Separate mathematical models have been formulated on the basis of the variation with thickness to compare the effectiveness of aerogel based cryogenic insulations.