Fund of National Research, Development and Innovation
Office – Development of High Heat Resistant Composite
Chimney Liner’s Prototype
PROJECT’S IDENTIFICATION NO.: KFI_16-1-2016-0141
NAME OF BENEFICIARY: KOMPOZITOR KFT.
PROJECT NAME: Development of High Heat Resistant Composite Chimney Liner’s
Prototype
THE AMOUNT OF CONTRACTED SUPPORT: 84 475 291 Ft.
THE RATE OF SUPPORT: 61%
The planned date of actual completion of the project: 2019.03.31
About the project
In 2017, building on the knowledge base of FuranFlex® technology, Kompozitor
Kft. decided to develop a new chimney liner with increased heat resistance, with
the brand name FuranFlex® HHR. The new type of composite chimney liner is
suitable for lining the chimneys exposed to higher heat loads of wood, pellet or
coal-fired boilers. This is necessary because when solid fuel is burned, the inner
wall of the chimney is exposed to a significantly higher load in the form of both
high temperature and aggressive condensate than in other heating methods.
The development of the new type of chimney has since been successfully
completed, and the company has been successfully selling the product for the
second year. The developed HHR composite liner pipe is a composite product
based on completely new principles. It is able to withstand the extra heat load
and more aggressive condensate that comes with wood and coal heating
solutions. The heat resistance of HHR is higher than that of steel, rivaling that of
ceramics, and at the same time more resistant to corrosion than other materials
used for lining chimneys. It is also more environmentally friendly than those, as it
only contains a minimal amount of boron compounds as a flame retardant,
which is increasingly among the prohibited raw materials. Its installation is just as
simple and fast as with the already established FuranFlex® technology.
The development of the prototype is a good example of the company's R&D
activity, so we should take a closer look at the product line and the steps involved
in the development of the new liner.
The essence of the FuranFlex® chimney lining technology is that the composite
chimney lining pipe is pulled into the existing chimneys in a soft, folded form,
which is then inflated with hot steam to harden irreversibly. The chimney liner
thus fully takes over the shape and internal cross-section of the chimney, and
follows the changes in direction and deviations of the passage. The most modern
condensing boilers can also be connected to the chimney lined in this way.
The development consisted of the following steps:
– Examination of the possible raw materials, including the selection of the
appropriate resin, flame retardant, fillers and reinforcements. When developing
the composition, the following aspects had to be taken into account: viscosity
suitable for impregnation, adequate mechanical strength, increasing flame
resistance, use of environmentally friendly materials. In the case of products
used for lining chimneys, resistance to long-term and short-term but intense
heat and flame is very important, which is why the development laid great
emphasis on testing and improving this.
– The next step was to determine the final composition of the synthetic resin
used as the product's raw material. Various mixtures were developed using the
components, which differed in their mixing ratio. From these, the ideal mixture
was selected empirically through various tests.
– The next task was to adjust the density and viscosity of the product, so that the
mixture is suitable for impregnating the glass fabric carrier material, even on the
impregnation machines that are already in operation.
– This was followed by an examination of the properties of the solidified
composite product applied to the glass fabric surface. Examining the properties
of the resulting liner pipe, making possible modifications was also part of this
task. The mechanical and flammability tests were carried out in the company's
own development and material testing laboratory.
– The installation tests were then carried out in the company's training chimney
and combustion technology laboratory.
– Licensing and patenting the product after the completion of development was
an important step. As with all products being developed, it is also necessary to
obtain the appropriate permits for the distribution of the chimney lining pipe.
– The last step in every development is the organization of the production of the
product, the acquisition and conversion of the necessary equipment, the
construction of the production technology, so that the serial production of the
prototype can begin. In the process, the necessary equipment, including work
protection and environmental protection devices, will be purchased and
developed.
– Successful product development was followed by market launch. For this, it was
necessary to present the new product at professional exhibitions and forums, to
place advertisements in the appropriate media, and this also included informing
the company's partner network about the new product.
Kompozitor Kft. successfully carried out all these tasks, thanks to which it has
been successfully selling its new product for the second year.