New buildings are subject to more stringent regulations that focus on reducing inefficient energy consumption and eliminating associated harmful emissions. This challenge has been exacerbated by the current energy crisis. As a result, there has been an increase in the development of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design strategies, technologies, and building materials. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps in Super Insulation Materials (SIMs), such as aerogel, vacuum insulation panels, and graphite-doped polystyrene foam. Despite their excellent insulation properties, these materials face challenges due to a lack of information on their properties, heat transfer mechanisms, test procedures for thermal evaluation, and performance comparisons between different types of SIMs. Through an innovative theoretical approach and laboratory tests, this study creates a complete scientific framework to understand thermal conduction models, performances, and characteristics in SIMs' application, compared to conventional insulations. We show thermal conductivity measurement results with excellent values belonging to vacuumized aerogels. We further state that graphite addition to white EPS reduces the thermal conductivity, but enhances the moisture up-take and infrared degradation.
Thermal performances of Super Insulation Materials (SIMs): A comprehensive analysis of characteristics, heat transfer mechanisms, laboratory tests, and experimental comparisons
Lucchi, Elena
2024-01-01
Abstract
New buildings are subject to more stringent regulations that focus on reducing inefficient energy consumption and eliminating associated harmful emissions. This challenge has been exacerbated by the current energy crisis. As a result, there has been an increase in the development of energy-efficient and environmentally friendly design strategies, technologies, and building materials. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps in Super Insulation Materials (SIMs), such as aerogel, vacuum insulation panels, and graphite-doped polystyrene foam. Despite their excellent insulation properties, these materials face challenges due to a lack of information on their properties, heat transfer mechanisms, test procedures for thermal evaluation, and performance comparisons between different types of SIMs. Through an innovative theoretical approach and laboratory tests, this study creates a complete scientific framework to understand thermal conduction models, performances, and characteristics in SIMs' application, compared to conventional insulations. We show thermal conductivity measurement results with excellent values belonging to vacuumized aerogels. We further state that graphite addition to white EPS reduces the thermal conductivity, but enhances the moisture up-take and infrared degradation.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
