Patent ID: 6328915
Filing Date: 2001-12-11
Classification: B01J,C04B

Abstract:
A method of forming and facilitating rapid drying of aerogel thin panel or monolith with internal molding and reinforced with pre-tensioned fibers comprising:(a) providing a supercritical fluid extraction vessel;(b) providing a mold with stainless steel side mold plates, and gas porous and hollow tapered mold fingers that are fixed to one or both sides of the stainless steel side mold plates;(c) mounting the mold in the supercritical fluid extraction vessel in such a way that permits gas to flow past the mold;(d) said gas porous, hollow, tapered mold fingers to have pores that are small enough to minimizing liquid weeping through the fingers, yet larger enough to allow gas diffusion and rapid drying of the aerogel thin panel or monolith;(e) providing a mixture of metal alkoxides, water and a catalyst;(f) spraying a mold release agent into the mold;(g) pouring the mixture into the mold a polymerizing the mixture in the mold;(h) subjecting the polymerized mixture to supercritical drying; and(i) withdrawing the mold from the supercritically died polymerized mixture to provide said aerogel thin panel or monolith.