Method and apparatus for insulating a furnace having a corrosive atmosphere

A high temperature insulation module for use in a chamber containing a corrosive atmosphere, said module comprising:

• a first ceramic fiber mat defining a hot face of the module;
• a second ceramic fiber mat defining a cold face of the module;
• said first and said second mats being comprised of a single resilient fibrous block, said block being comprised of a plurality of side-by-side planes of ceramic fiber material wherein said fibers are randomly arranged within said planes, said block having been cut transversely prior to installation;
• and,
• a support member positioned intermediate said first and said second mats, said support member being cooperable with a fastener positionable below the hot face intermediate said hot face and said cold face to affix the module to a wall of a high temperature chamber and maintain said support member at a location whereat during operation of the chamber the temperature exceeds that at which corrosive gases can condense.

A high temperature insulation module for use in a chamber containing a corrosive atmosphere, comprising:

• a first ceramic fiber mat, the first mat having a hot face adapted for exposure to the interior of a high temperature chamber, the first mat having a thickness, the first mat having a rear face generally opposite from the hot face;
• a planar support member, the support member being disposed against the rear face of the first mat, the support member being displaced from the hot face of the first mat by at least the thickness of the first mat to protect the support member from excessive heat;
• a second ceramic fiber mat, the second mat having a front face disposed against the support member, the second mat having a thickness, the second mat having a cold face generally opposite from the front face, the second mat being adapted to maintain the support member in a plane displaced from the cold face by a distance generally equal to the thickness of the second mat;
• and,
• the first mat, the support member and the second mat forming a module, the support member being positioned between the first mat and the second mat and being displaced from the cold face in a plane of the module where the temperature at the plane during operation of the chamber will exceed the condensation temperature for corrosive vapors.