Insulation and DESWH design
(Summary of product development - part III)
A number of different concepts for the insulation of the DESWH were evaluated.
The focus was improvements in performance, as determined by thermal conductivity measurements and standing heat loss studies, as well as cost, practicality and HSE (health, safety and environment) considerations. A commercially feasible solution for DESWH thermal insulation has been identified, with well documented stability properties for guaranteed performance over the expected 25 year lifetime of the EcoWaterHeater.
However, it was apparent that adequately improved hot water tank insulation could not be achieved for the prototype within the project budget specifications, since it would present excessive material costs and require modifications to the OSO production process, incurring additional expense. This also presented significant practical challenges which could not be overcome within the timescale of this project.
