Abstract
Polymer aerogels reinforced with carbon nanofibers and alumina aerogels reinforced with hydroxyethyl-cellulose have been successfully synthesized by means of a pilot plant freeze-drying process. Their main physicochemical properties have been measured and compared, and their production costs have been computed. The SWOT matrix of the process has been determined from internal and external analyses, revealing the interest of these products as building insulation materials and the need of establishing a detailed economic analysis. A homemade Excel-VBA application was designed in order to determine the economic parameters of the freeze-drying process. As a consequence of the total economic and physicochemical analysis, it was concluded that the production of aerogels reinforced with hydroxyethyl-cellulose could only be recommended if they are used as an insulating material in buildings with higher thermal stability requirements.
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