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{{Project data
| authors = User:J.M.Pearce
| status = Idea
| completed = 2012
| instance-of = Cellulose insulation
}}
{{MOST}}
{{MOST}}
{|style="border:1px solid #ffa508; background-color: #D0D0FF; margin-left:.1em; margin-top:2px; -moz-border-radius:15px;" align="right" width="240px"
!<big><big>The competition for inspiration</big>
|-
|<center>{{#widget:YouTube|id=6FWOwvthj34}} </center>
|-
|}


The goal of this project is to create an [[open source]] cellulose insulation manufacturing machine for the goal of [[local production]] of cellulose insulation from post consumer paper waste. [[Local manufacturing]] would reduce [[embodied energy]] of transportation and provide a valuable product from local waste streams - particularly in cold climates like the UP!
The goal of this project is to create an [[open source]] cellulose insulation manufacturing machine for the goal of [[local production]] of cellulose insulation from post consumer paper waste. [[Local manufacturing]] would reduce [[embodied energy]] of transportation and provide a valuable product from local waste streams - particularly in cold climates like the UP!
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The machine will process post-consumer paper sourced locally to create the 75-85% recycled paper fiber and then mix it with the other 15%-25% of a fire retardant such as boric acid.
The machine will process post-consumer paper sourced locally to create the 75-85% recycled paper fiber and then mix it with the other 15%-25% of a fire retardant such as boric acid.


{{Video
| video = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FWOwvthj34
| title = The competition for inspiration
| keywords = manufacturing, insulation, waste
}}
'''Cellulose Insulation''' is one of the greenest products in the world as it both saves energy by conserving heat in buildings and it is made from [[recycled paper]] (newsprint and other paper sources), paper that might otherwise end up in landfills, releasing greenhouse gases as it decomposed.


'''Cellulose Insulation''' is one of the greenest products  in the world as it both saves energy by conserving heat in buildings and it is made from [[recycled paper]] (newsprint and other paper sources), paper that might  otherwise end up in landfills, releasing greenhouse gases as it decomposed.
* Lowest embodied energy of any insulation (fiberglass is 10X as much, foam 60X)<ref>Life Cycle Analysis of a Residential Home in Michigan" S. Blanchard & P. Reppe (Sept. 1998); Canadian Architect Measures of Sustainability -- check me. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160203014904/http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/measures_of_sustainablity_embodied.htm http://web.archive.org/web/20160203014904/http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/measures_of_sustainablity_embodied.htm]</ref>
* Lowest embodied energy of any insulation (fiberglass is 10X as much, foam 60X) <ref> Life Cycle Analysis of a Residential Home in Michigan” S. Blanchard & P. Reppe (Sept. 1998); Canadian Architect Measures of Sustainability -- check me. http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/measures_of_sustainablity_embodied.htm </ref>
* Green building material for [[LEED]]
* Green building material for [[LEED]]
* sound proofing, insulation, and fire retardation.
* sound proofing, insulation, and fire retardation.
* Works best at high deltaT form indoor and outdoor
* Works best at high deltaT form indoor and outdoor


==Basic design specs==
== Basic design specs ==
 
* ability to shred paper to 5cm add borate then "fiberize" to 4mm
* ability to shred paper to 5cm add borate then "fiberize" to 4mm


==External Links==
== External Links ==
* [http://www.cellulose.org/ Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association]
 
* [http://www.cellulose.org/ Cellulose Insulation Manufacturers Association]
 
== Quick Economics ==


==Quick Economics==
Does this make sense?
Does this make sense?
* Search on internet found several sources for boric acid
* Search on internet found several sources for boric acid
* $1/lb for granules [http://www.farmerboyag.com/fly-insect-control/boric-acid-50lb.asp] or for the powder - slightly less (44 if 100+ sacks) if you buy many 50lb sacks.[http://www.dudadiesel.com/choose_item.php?id=borpbags&kpid=borpbags&gclid=CJbQw8211MYCFQGGaQodAW0MWQ]
* $1/lb for granules [https://web.archive.org/web/20140925095000/http://www.farmerboyag.com/fly-insect-control/boric-acid-50lb.asp] or for the powder - slightly less (44 if 100+ sacks) if you buy many 50lb sacks.[http://www.dudadiesel.com/choose_item.php?id=borpbags&kpid=borpbags&gclid=CJbQw8211MYCFQGGaQodAW0MWQ]
* if assume the electricity, labor and the paper is free that means you are paying ~$0.25/lb for insulation
* if assume the electricity, labor and the paper is free that means you are paying ~$0.25/lb for insulation
* Cellulose insulation - 23lb bag for $7.20 or $0.31/lb [http://www.shop.insulationmaterials.com/Energy-Care-Cellulose-23lb-Bags-EC-1000.htm?gclid=CPan1oK31MYCFYcCaQodqUgC6g]
* Cellulose insulation - 23lb bag for $7.20 or $0.31/lb [http://www.shop.insulationmaterials.com/Energy-Care-Cellulose-23lb-Bags-EC-1000.htm?gclid=CPan1oK31MYCFYcCaQodqUgC6g]
* Cellulose insulation - 1050LBS for $420 is $0.40/lb [http://www.thetoolworkshop.com/greenfibercelluloseinsulationins770ld.aspx]
* Cellulose insulation - 1050LBS for $420 is $0.40/lb [http://www.thetoolworkshop.com/greenfibercelluloseinsulationins770ld.aspx]
* Cellulose insulation - 17280lbs for $6393 is $0.37/lb [http://www.theenergyconscious.com/fiberamerica-li004.html?gclid=CJuulpW61MYCFQuQaQodsqkC2w]
* Cellulose insulation - 17280lbs for $6393 is $0.37/lb [http://www.theenergyconscious.com/fiberamerica-li004.html?gclid=CJuulpW61MYCFQuQaQodsqkC2w]


This gives you a 20% savings on materials - but your time and the electricity and the machine are all going to have real costs. However, the disposal of the paper will have a real cost too. This looks marginal.
This gives you a 20% savings on materials - but your time and the electricity and the machine are all going to have real costs. However, the disposal of the paper will have a real cost too. This looks marginal.
So for 1000 square feet of attic in the UP you would want R60 and need 105 standard bags of 19.05lbs/bag or ~2000lbs [http://www.greenfiber.com/step_one_-_calculate_your_need_how_to_install.html]
So for 1000 square feet of attic in the UP you would want R60 and need 105 standard bags of 19.05lbs/bag or ~2000lbs [https://web.archive.org/web/20160715101023/http://www.greenfiber.com:80/step_one_-_calculate_your_need_how_to_install.html]
with possible savings of 6 cents/lb = $120 on a $620 purchase
with possible savings of 6 cents/lb = $120 on a $620 purchase


==Feasibility Cases==
== Feasibility Cases ==
*Where does 15-25% boric acid figure come from?
 
*What are substitutes for boric acid?
* Where does 15-25% boric acid figure come from?
*Is flame retardant needed in nonflammable walls, such as with Compressed Earth Block?
* What are substitutes for boric acid?
* Is flame retardant needed in nonflammable walls, such as with Compressed Earth Block?
 
== References ==
 
<references />
 
== Links ==


== References==
* OSE Wiki - http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Biofiber_Insulation
<references/>


==Links==
{{Page data
*OSE Wiki - http://opensourceecology.org/wiki/Biofiber_Insulation
| keywords = cellulose insulation, manufacturing, open source, waste, cellulose
| sdg = SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
| published = 2012
| organizations = Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Lab.
| license = CC-BY-SA-3.0
| language = en
}}


[[category:MOST]]
[[Category:MOST]]
[[category:open source hardware]]
[[Category:Open source hardware]]
[[category:energy efficiency]]
[[Category:Energy efficiency]]
[[category:projects]]
[[Category:Videos]]
[[Category:Appropriate technology videos]]
[[Category:Appropriate technology videos]]
[[Category:Energy videos]]
[[Category:Energy videos]]
[[Category:Engineering videos]]
[[Category:Engineering videos]]
[[Category:Manufacturing]]
[[Category:Open source]]
[[Category:Waste]]

Latest revision as of 13:25, 28 February 2024

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Project data
Authors Joshua M. Pearce
Status Idea
Completed 2012
Instance of Cellulose insulation
OKH Manifest Download

The goal of this project is to create an open source cellulose insulation manufacturing machine for the goal of local production of cellulose insulation from post consumer paper waste. Local manufacturing would reduce embodied energy of transportation and provide a valuable product from local waste streams - particularly in cold climates like the UP!

The machine will process post-consumer paper sourced locally to create the 75-85% recycled paper fiber and then mix it with the other 15%-25% of a fire retardant such as boric acid.

mqdefault.jpgYouTube_icon.svg
The competition for inspiration

Cellulose Insulation is one of the greenest products in the world as it both saves energy by conserving heat in buildings and it is made from recycled paper (newsprint and other paper sources), paper that might otherwise end up in landfills, releasing greenhouse gases as it decomposed.

  • Lowest embodied energy of any insulation (fiberglass is 10X as much, foam 60X)[1]
  • Green building material for LEED
  • sound proofing, insulation, and fire retardation.
  • Works best at high deltaT form indoor and outdoor

Basic design specs[edit | edit source]

  • ability to shred paper to 5cm add borate then "fiberize" to 4mm

External Links[edit | edit source]

Quick Economics[edit | edit source]

Does this make sense?

  • Search on internet found several sources for boric acid
  • $1/lb for granules [1] or for the powder - slightly less (44 if 100+ sacks) if you buy many 50lb sacks.[2]
  • if assume the electricity, labor and the paper is free that means you are paying ~$0.25/lb for insulation
  • Cellulose insulation - 23lb bag for $7.20 or $0.31/lb [3]
  • Cellulose insulation - 1050LBS for $420 is $0.40/lb [4]
  • Cellulose insulation - 17280lbs for $6393 is $0.37/lb [5]

This gives you a 20% savings on materials - but your time and the electricity and the machine are all going to have real costs. However, the disposal of the paper will have a real cost too. This looks marginal. So for 1000 square feet of attic in the UP you would want R60 and need 105 standard bags of 19.05lbs/bag or ~2000lbs [6] with possible savings of 6 cents/lb = $120 on a $620 purchase

Feasibility Cases[edit | edit source]

  • Where does 15-25% boric acid figure come from?
  • What are substitutes for boric acid?
  • Is flame retardant needed in nonflammable walls, such as with Compressed Earth Block?

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Life Cycle Analysis of a Residential Home in Michigan" S. Blanchard & P. Reppe (Sept. 1998); Canadian Architect Measures of Sustainability -- check me. http://web.archive.org/web/20160203014904/http://www.canadianarchitect.com/asf/perspectives_sustainibility/measures_of_sustainablity/measures_of_sustainablity_embodied.htm

Links[edit | edit source]

FA info icon.svg Angle down icon.svg Page data
Keywords cellulose insulation, manufacturing, open source, waste, cellulose
SDG SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities, SDG12 Responsible consumption and production
License CC-BY-SA-3.0
Organizations Michigan Tech's Open Sustainability Technology Lab.
Language English (en)
Related 0 subpages, 2 pages link here
Impact 1,581 page views
Created March 9, 2012 by Joshua M. Pearce
Modified February 28, 2024 by Felipe Schenone
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