US Army Uses SPF Foam to Cool Tents | Foam Roofing
In the sweltering Iraqi desert temperatures reach highs of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, and US Army tents don't provide much relief, even with air conditioning. In fact, even with air conditioning, the poorly insulated tents were often still over 100 degrees Fahrenheit inside. These were hardly livable conditions for soldiers.
In 2009 the U.S. Military began applying polyurethane spray foam to 900 air conditioned tents. Honeywell completed the 12.5 million dollar project. TerraStrong polyurethane foam was pumped from 55 gallon drums and applied to the surface of the tents. The foam conforms to the surface of the tents, sealing and insulating from the external elements and rays of the sun, keeping the tents substantially cooler. The rigid polyurethane foam also provides structural support as well.
Joseph Lstiburek, a building scientist and indoor air quality expert, told discovery news: "For the Army, there is no other solution even close to this given speed, flexibility, mobility". "You don't have to ship lots of big pieces of stuff around. Think about it: a big tent insulated on the exterior that acts as a combined water control layer, air control layer, vapor control layer and thermal control layer that is also structural."
The military expects to associated reduce air conditioning costs by at least 25 to 30%. The project is part of 2009-2015 initiative to improve the efficiency of military facilities and improve the quality of life for both troops and civilians.
EDIT:
Also, how many tents have sensitive computer or communications equipment that must be kept cool? Medical facilities? etc.
It's not always as black and white as some would paint it.