Thermal insulation containing supplemental infrared radiation absorbing material

16:

• A method of forming a thermal insulation product, the method comprising dispersing on fibers an infrared absorbing and scattering material comprising at least one compound selected from the group consisting of carbonate compounds, borate compounds, and alumina compounds;
• and
• forming the fibers into a porous structure.

17:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material comprises calcium carbonate.

18:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the dispersing comprises soaking or spraying the fibers with a liquid mixture containing the infrared absorbing and scattering material.

19:

• The method according to claim 18, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material is suspended in the liquid mixture.

20:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material is dispersed on the fibers after the fibers are formed into the porous structure.

21:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the dispersing comprises mixing the infrared absorbing and scattering material and the fibers.

23:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the mixing comprises sucking or blowing a dry powder of the infrared absorbing and scattering material into the porous structure.

24:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the dispersing comprises mixing the infrared absorbing and scattering material, the fibers, and a binder.

26:

• The method according to claim 25, wherein the mixing comprises sucking or blowing the binder and a dry powder of the infrared absorbing and scattering material into the porous structure.

27:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the porous structure is nonwoven.

28:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the fibers are inorganic.

29:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the fibers comprise a glass.

30:

• The method according to claim 16, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material comprises a compound selected from the group consisting of carbonate compounds and alumina compounds.

31:

• The method according to claim 16, further comprising forming the porous structure into a pipe section comprising the infrared absorbing and scattering material and the fibers.

32:

• The method according to claim 31, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material is dispersed on the fibers before the porous structure is formed into the pipe section.

The product according to claim 33, wherein at least a portion of the infrared absorbing and scattering material is dispersed on fibers inside the thermal insulation product.

35:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the porous structure is nonwoven.

36:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the fibers are inorganic.

37:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the fibers comprise a glass.

38:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the product comprises the infrared absorbing and scattering material in an amount of from 1 to 40% by weight.

39:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material comprises a carbonate compound selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, dolomite and magnesite.

40:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material comprises a borate compound selected from the group consisting of borax and colemanite.

41:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material comprises hydrated alumina.

42:

• The product according to claim 33, further comprising a binder selected from the group consisting of thermosetting polymers, thermoplastic polymers, and inorganic compounds.

43:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material absorbs infrared radiation having a wavelength in a range of 4 to 40 μm.

44:

• The product according to claim 43, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material absorbs infrared radiation having a wavelength in a range of 6 to 8 μm.

45:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material has a particle size of from 1 to 3.8 μm.

46:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein 99% of the particles have a particle size of less than 10 μm.

47:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the fibers are in the form of fiberglass having a density of from 8.01 to 22.4 kg/m3.

48:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material is in direct contact with the fibers.

49:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the infrared absorbing and scattering material is in contact with only the fibers.

50:

• The product according to claim 33, wherein the fibers are in the form of fiberglass having a density of from 8.01 to 14.4 kg/m3.