System and method for fiber reinforced aerogel insulation

A method for producing a pipe insulation product, wherein the method comprises:

• providing a first mat of fiber reinforced aerogel composite, the first mat having a first density;
• providing a second mat of fiber reinforced aerogel composite, the second mat having a second density;
• and
• forming an insulation product of fiber reinforced aerogel composite from the first mat and the second mat, the insulation product having a third density, wherein the third density is greater than the first density and the second density and wherein a ratio of the third density to the first density or the second density is between about 1.2:1 and about 2:1;
• wherein providing the first mat of fiber reinforced aerogel composite or the second mat of fiber reinforced aerogel composite comprises:
• providing an aqueous solution that includes aerogel particles and fibers, the aerogel particles and the fibers uniformly dispersed in the aqueous solution to form a slurry;
• transferring the slurry onto a porous surface;
• and
• removing water from the slurry to form a wet laid material mixture of the aerogel particles and the fibers atop the porous surface.