In the energy efficiency assessment of industrial high-temperature equipment, accurately calculating the heat loss rate of ceramic fiber insulation boards is a core component in evaluating their thermal insulation performance. The heat loss rate not only reflects the actual application effectiveness of ceramic fiber insulation boards but also provides data support for equipment energy consumption optimization. Mastering scientific calculation methods enables precise assessment of the energy-saving value of ceramic fiber insulation boards under different operating conditions.
To calculate the heat loss rate of ceramic fiber insulation boards, it is essential to first identify the core parameters. The primary parameter is the thermal conductivity coefficient, which is an inherent property of ceramic fiber insulation boards. Different models exhibit varying thermal conductivity coefficients at different temperatures. For example, the 1260 standard-type ceramic fiber insulation board has a thermal conductivity coefficient of approximately 0.13 W/(m·K) at 600°C, while the 1400 high-purity type has a thermal conductivity as low as 0.09 W/(m·K). This data can be obtained from product test reports or measured on-site. Next is the temperature difference parameter, which is the difference between the internal operating temperature of the equipment and the external environmental temperature. This requires precise measurement on both sides of the ceramic fiber insulation board using instruments such as thermocouples. Additionally, the thickness and insulation area of the ceramic fiber insulation board are essential parameters. The thickness must be measured based on the actual installed dimensions, while the area is calculated based on the unfolded area of the equipment’s insulation zone.

The calculation of the basic heat loss follows Fourier’s law. The formula is: Heat loss (Q) = Thermal conductivity (λ) × Insulation area (A) × Temperature difference (ΔT) ÷ Thickness (δ). For example, a kiln uses ceramic fiber insulation boards with a thickness of 50 mm and an insulation area of 10 m², an internal furnace temperature of 800°C, an ambient temperature of 25°C, and a product with a thermal conductivity of 0.12 W/(m·K), substituting these values into the formula yields a heat loss quantity Q = 0.12 × 10 × (800 – 25) ÷ 0.05 = 18,600 W, equivalent to approximately 66.96 MJ of heat loss per hour.
The calculation of the heat loss rate must be combined with the total heat dissipation of the equipment. The heat loss rate (η) = heat loss of the ceramic fiber insulation board (Q) ÷ total heat dissipation of the equipment (Q total) × 100%. The total heat dissipation of the equipment can be estimated based on energy consumption data. For example, for electric heating equipment, it can be calculated based on power and operating time, while for fuel-heated equipment, it can be calculated based on fuel consumption and calorific value conversion. If the total heat dissipation of the kiln is 93,000 W, then the heat loss rate η of the ceramic fiber insulation board is 18,600 ÷ 93,000 × 100% = 20%, indicating that the heat loss through the ceramic fiber insulation board accounts for 20% of the total heat dissipation.
During the calculation process, error control must be noted. When measuring temperature differences, avoid environmental airflow interference; it is recommended to take multiple measurements on the surface of the ceramic fiber insulation board and calculate the average value. The thermal conductivity coefficient should be selected based on the actual operating temperature, avoiding the direct application of ambient temperature data. Thickness measurements must include all layers to ensure the completeness of the calculation. For irregularly shaped equipment, the insulation area should be divided into regular geometric shapes for separate calculations and then summarized to improve overall calculation accuracy.
By scientifically calculating the heat loss rate of ceramic fiber insulation boards, one can directly assess their insulation performance, providing data support for optimizing equipment insulation solutions and selecting appropriate ceramic fiber insulation boards, thereby achieving the goal of precise energy conservation and reduced consumption.