I just came across this development of the Aerogel technology -- today. I don't know how difficult it would be to pull my Dometic out far enough to add this aerogel sheeting, but I'm sure it would make a dramatic difference in keeping things cold and using less energy, too.
Space-age Aerogel Insulation Now Cheaper and Available in Sheets | Inhabitat - (http://inhabitat.com/exciting-advances-in-insulation-with-aerogel/)
yes Mike, Aeogel. I was going to mention this to Paul but lost the write-up when my computer hick-upped!
I was one of the first users of Aerogel vacuum panels after they were first produced for the consumer market. Nasa and DOD were the only users of the technology prior to this first developement for the masses. The full story began in 1995 with installation in early 1997.
MEMORY ROSE: Refrigeration (http://memoryrose.blogspot.com/search/label/Refrigeration)
Back then, I was able to buy panels from the first prototype production made by Owens Corning and they were rated @ R-75. Afterwards, Glacier Bay refrigeration began working with other companies that could produce more reasonably priced panels, but at a lower R value. (R-5 is equal to about 1" of standard insulation, so R-75 rating gave me the insulation effect of 15" of foam or fiberglass insulation---a huge benefit, especially if working it tight spaces)
I have no knowledge of the space available in our FT space around in the area of our refrigerator/freezers, but Vacuum Panels will certainly be a quality improvement. Probably still 'pricey' though.
You can buy Aerogel on ebay. A 0.5x0.5x0.5" piece is Buy it Now for $17.77!
0 5x0 5x0 5" Silica Aerogel Like NASA Type Amazing | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-5x0-5x0-5-SILICA-AEROGEL-LIKE-NASA-TYPE-AMAZING-/151014303357?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item232927667d)
see ya
ken
Or for $5.00/ft in 57" rolls
Aspen Aerogel Spaceloft Insulation Hydrophobic Mat per Linear Foot 57" Wide | (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Aspen-Aerogel-SPACELOFT-Insulation-Hydrophobic-Mat-Per-Linear-Foot-57-Wide-/180860317203?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1c1d6e13)
R=10.3
From what I understood way back, if aerogel was used in a vacuum panel, the R value could be increased without too much effort to R20-30. going beyond took extraordinary effort on the part of the manufacturer. R-75 was what was produced back then by Owens Corning and the entire stock was sold off because production costs were too high etc. the entire production was sold off to Glacier bay. There are now panels on the market rated at R-50,60. I looked online after commenting earlier and found one company with 18 x 18 x 1" panels for $72. Thats 22% of what I paid back in 96 and if could be a huge increase in limiting run times on compressors. So production is out there and prices have dropped radically. No, the products are not cheap but for special applications it can make or break a concept refrigeration system's effectiveness, important if you want to stay off the grid or have limit to solar installation size.
also, if vacuum panels end up failing due to a leak, the R-value goes down to about 9 if just relying on the aerogel material itself.
An article I read back then explained that aerogel was a crystaline product that was the 1st or 2nd lightest material, and was created from a liquid. One piece the size of a sugar cube if unfolded, had the surface area that would cover a basket ball court. So, many many surfaces (like millions of tiny bubbles but crystals) with space inside, containing a vacuum. Extremely low temperature migration thru the material.
Either way, it looks like even plain aerogel might be something produced now -without being finished off in a vacuum panel- that can give 2x the insulation R value of other materials.
As an aside; quite a while ago, 10 yrs??, Practical Sailor did a test on regular ice coolers and there was one model by Igloo?, that kept ice for 5 days! That was astounding at the time. I bought one to keep beer in, while in while we were living aboard in Marathon, Fl. harbor. It worked!! I felt they must be using vacuum or something like aerogel, because there was no way an ice cooler sitting on deck in the Florida sun should be so efficient.
One way or another, it's expensive but at least 2x the r value of foam materials. Put it into vacuum panels and one could build or modify a refrigeration/freezer to be quite efficient.