Part 1 of "A simple way to insulate plastic tanks for solar hot water or compost heat storage"

This is part 1 describing how we can insulate plastic barrels for solar hot water storage or compost heat storage using clingwrap. duct tape and strips of styrofoam. Whereas part 2 shows the procedure, Part 1 explains how we started in Cairo with square boxes of styrofoam using spray foam to seal them, and why this method is actually quicker and better.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• renewable energy
• Solar CITIES

[Teddybearcop48]

Very good. Thank you..

[willisarron22]

Why not use fiberglass and duct tape to hold it in place? It would be cheap and simple.

[insAneTunA]

@tculhane I really wish I could do more, but for now sharing my ideas is all I can do. I am on the lookout for materials, but it's a slow process since I don't have a lot of money or a camera. I think that your work is very impressive. The fact that you have really tried this with good results already, is very inspiring. Also knowing that the results will be even better with better fitting pieces of foam. You deserve way more attention for your work and ideas.

[tculhane]

@insAneTunA That is an AWESOME idea! I'm sure you know how discouraging\

it can be to do these things inefficiently and worry that the system will

fail to impress because of something otherwise trivial like styrofoam!

If I was a better carpenter I would immediately make what you have suggested;

if you get to it before me (please do!) and can post a video for the rest of

us, that would be terrific -- people all over the world will have you to thank for

making the process so much easier!

[insAneTunA]

@insAneTunA For example, take a wooden board from 1x1.5 mtr, then saw some even spaced splits in opposites angles over the width from the board starting 2 inches from the edge, then you can go in with a knife. When you have a piece of foam just put the board over it and start cutting with your knife. The fixed angle gives you even pieces, no matter how thick the foam is. And since they all have the same angel you can fit them tight. Less work and less left overs and higher efficiency.

[insAneTunA]

I was thinking, it should be possible to make some sort of wooden adjustable mold in order to cut even pieces so you can use as much as foam as possible. If you do it right then you can cut even pieces with a certain angle so every piece fits tight together. If you have a flat piece of foam then you can cut one piece in an angle, then flip the foam, and cut another piece in the same angle. If you keep doing that then you end up with pieces that make a full circle when you fit them together.