Thermal Insulation and Radiation Control Technologies for Buildings

Preface
Contents
1 Short History of Thermal Insulation and Radiation Control Technologies Used in Architecture
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Thermal Insulation Used in Early Age Constructions
1.2.1 Natural Materials Used in Primitive Shelters
1.2.2 Adobe and Dry Clay Structures
1.2.3 Wood for Structure and Thermal Insulation
1.2.4 Cork, a Natural Porous Material
1.3 Technological Discoveries Leading to Mineral Wool, Glass Fiber and Foam-Glass Insulation
1.3.1 Mineral Wool
1.3.2 Glass Fiber
1.3.3 Foam Glass
1.4 Past Developments of Cellulosic Fiber Insulation
1.5 Development of Cellular Plastic Foam Insulation
1.5.1 Polystyrene Foams
1.5.2 Polyurethane, Polyisocyanurate, and Bio-Based Foams
1.5.3 Development of Phenolic Foams
1.6 Development of Thermally Insulating Wood Composites and Wood Concretes
1.6.1 Insulating Fiber Boards and Early Wood Composites
1.6.2 Wood Concrete Products
1.7 Sad History of Asbestos Fiber Insulation
1.8 Development of Aerogel Insulations
1.9 Enclosed Reflective Air Spaces (Reflective Insulation)
1.9.1 Vacuum Insulation Panels
References
2 Long-Term Thermal Performance of Insulations Under Moisture Loads
2.1 Theoretical Background
2.2 Analysis of Moisture Effects on Heat Transfer in Thermal Insulation Materials
2.3 Interaction Between Heat and Moisture Transfer—Hygrothermal Phenomena
2.4 Measuring Thermal Conductivity of Moist Materials
2.5 Practice Case: Water Accumulation in Closed-Cell Foam Insulation of an Inverted Roof
2.6 Practice Case: Latent Heat Effect Caused by Water Trapped in the Mineral Fiber Insulation Layer of a Light-Weight Flat Roof
2.7 Conclusions
References
3 Overview of Thermal Performance of Air Cavities and Reflective Insulations
3.1 Background
3.2 Reflective Insulation Overview
3.3 Model Discerption and Validations
3.4 Effect of Airspace Aspect Ratio on the R-Value
3.5 Effect of Inclination Angle and Direction of Heat Flow
3.6 Effect of Installing Thin Sheet in the Middle of Enclosed Airspace
3.7 Practical Correlation for the R-Values of Enclosed Airspaces
3.8 Concluding Remarks
References
4 Reflective Insulation in South-East Asia Region
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Application of Reflective Insulation in Building
4.3 Standards, Guidelines and Building Rating Systems for Roof Thermal Insulation in Malaysia
4.3.1 Malaysian Standard MS1525
4.3.2 Malaysian Standard MS2680
4.3.3 Malaysian Standard MS 2095
4.3.4 Green Building Index (GBI)
4.4 Construction and Applications of Reflective Technology in Malaysia
4.4.1 Tile Roof (Concrete and Clay)
4.4.2 Metal Roof (Concrete and Clay)
4.5 Field Evaluation of Reflective Insulation and Radiant Barrier in Malaysia
4.5.1 Instrumentation
4.5.2 Calculation of RSI from Transient Data
4.5.3 Results and Findings
4.6 Thermal Performance of Roof Assembly with Reflective Technology Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis
4.6.1 CFD Model
4.6.2 CFD Results Validation Against Experimental Measurements
4.6.3 Heat Flux Penetration Through the Gable Roof Assemblies
4.6.4 Thermal Resistance (RSI Values) of the Gable Roof Assemblies
4.6.5 CFD Graphical Results
4.7 Techno-Economic Evaluation of Roof Thermal Insulation for a Typical Hypermarket in Malaysia
4.7.1 Thermal Resistance Evaluation of the Insulation Materials
4.7.2 Building Modelling and Thermal Insulation Evaluation Using IESVE
4.7.3 Economic Evaluation of the Thermal Insulations
4.7.4 Life-Cycle Savings (LCS)
4.7.5 Discounted Payback Period (DPP)
4.7.6 Internal Rate of Return (IRR)
References
5 Development and Application Status of Glass Wool, Rock Wool, and Ceramic Wool
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Raw Materials and Chemical Composition
5.3 Classification
5.4 Fabrication Technology
5.4.1 Centrifugal-Blow Process
5.4.2 Centrifugal Rotation Process
5.4.3 Flame Blow Process
5.5 Centrifugal Equipment
5.6 Characteristic and Application
5.6.1 Glass Wool
5.6.2 Rock Wool
5.6.3 Ceramic Wool
5.7 Closing Statement
References
6 Characteristics of Bio-based Insulation Materials
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Hygrothermal Properties of Bio-based Insulation Materials
6.3 Thermal Transfer Properties
6.4 Moisture Transfer Properties
6.5 Hygrothermal Evaluation of Thermal Conductivity Measurements
6.6 Life-Cycle Assessment of Bio-based Insulation Materials
6.7 Conclusions and Outlook
References
7 Bio-based Foam Insulation
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Requirements and Dimensional Stability of Biopolyol-Based Pur/Pir Foams
7.3 Thermal Conductivity and Microstructure of Biopolyols-Based Pur Foams
7.4 Compressive Strength of Biopolyols-Based Pur/Pir Foams
7.5 Water Absorption of Biopolyols-Based Pur Foams
7.6 Thermal Stability and Flammability of Biopolyols-Based Pur/Pir Foams
7.7 Rigid Polyurethane Foams Reinforced with Bio-fillers
7.8 Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Sugar Beet Pulp Filler Impregnated with Aminopropylisobutyl-Poss
7.9 Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Maleic-, Alkali and Silane-Treated Eucalyptus Fibers
7.10 Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Lavender Filler Functionalized with Kaolinite and Hydroxyapatite
7.11 Soybean Oil-Based Polyurethane Composites Reinforced with Cloves
References
8 Improvements of Polyurethane (PU) Foam’s Antibacterial Properties and Bio-resistance
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Recent Developments of Polyurethane Foam Products with Antiseptic and Antimicrobial Characteristics
8.3 A Use of Bio-based Additives for Enhancement of Antiseptic, Antimicrobial, and Physical Characteristics of PU Foams
8.4 Conclusion
References
9 Increased Thermal Stability and Reduced Flammability of Polyurethane Foams with an Application of Polyetherols
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Short Overview of Testing Methods for Rigid Polyurethane Foams
9.3 Reduction of Flammability of PUF with Azacyclic Rings
9.4 Polyetherols and Polyurethane Foams Based on Natural Products
References
10 High Performance Thermal Insulations—Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs)
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Heat Transfer Mechanisms in Thermal Insulations
10.2.1 Thermal Insulations with Blowing Agents
10.2.2 Nano-Porous Thermal Insulations
10.2.3 Vacuum Insulations
10.3 Application of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs)
10.3.1 Long-Term Performance of VIPs
10.3.2 Construction with VIPs
10.3.3 Cost of VIPs
10.4 Outlooks and Prospects
References
11 Application of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) in Buildings
11.1 Introduction of VIP Technology 
11.2 VIP Basic Structure and Key Components
11.2.1 Most Commonly Used VIP Core Materials
11.2.2 VIP Envelope
11.2.3 VIP Getter
11.2.4 VIP Opacifier
11.3 Heat Transfer Modes in VIPs
11.3.1 Heat Transfer Theory
11.3.2 Thermal Resistance
11.3.3 Heat Transfer Process in Porous Materials
11.3.4 Heat Transfer in VIP
11.4 Physical Characteristics of VIPs
11.4.1 Thermal Conductivity
11.4.2 Inner Pressure
11.4.3 VIP Long Term Durability
11.4.4 Service Life Predictions of VIPs
11.5 VIPs’ Application in Buildings
11.5.1 Examples of VIP Products Used in Buildings
11.5.2 Standard Specification Documents for VIPs Used in Buildings
11.5.3 Energy Performance of Building Installed with VIPs
11.5.4 Method of Installing VIPs in Building
11.5.5 Challenges of VIPs Applications in Buildings
11.6 Short Overview of VIP Industry in China
11.6.1 Core Materials Suppliers and Products
11.6.2 VIP Envelopes Produced in China
11.6.3 VIP Product and Application in China
11.7 Overview of Most Interesting Current VIP Application in Chinese Buildings
11.7.1 Winter Olympic Village Clinic, Beijing
11.7.2 Longcheng Guifu, Zibo, Shandong Provice
11.7.3 Movable and Energy-Efficient Houses
11.8 Conclusion
References
12 The Concept of Nano Insulation Materials—Challenges, Opportunities, and Experimental Investigations
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Thermal Transport in Materials and Through Building Envelopes
12.3 Traditional Thermal Insulation
12.4 State-of-The-Art Thermal Insulation
12.5 The Nano Insulation Material Concept
12.6 Exploring Experimental Pathways of Nanoporous Thermal Insulation
12.6.1 Theoretical Concepts and Laboratory Experiments
12.6.2 The Membrane Foaming Method
12.6.3 The Gas Release Method
12.6.4 The Sacrificial Template Method
12.7 Hollow Silica Nanosphere Experimental Investigations
12.7.1 Synthesis of Sacrificial Template Nanospheres
12.7.2 Synthesis of Hollow Silica Nanospheres
12.7.3 Characterization of Hollow Silica Nanospheres
12.7.4 Hollow Silica Nanosphere Results
12.7.5 Perspectives for Future Development of Hollow Silica Nanospheres
12.8 The Path Ahead for Thermal Insulation Development
12.9 Conclusions
References
13 Insulated Autoclaved Cellular Concretes and Improvement of Their Mechanical and Hydrothermal Properties
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Fabrication of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) and Description of the Autoclaving Process
13.3 Basic Technical Characteristics of AAC
13.3.1 Density and Compressive Strength
13.3.2 Thermal Conductivity
13.3.3 Frost Resistance
13.3.4 Fire Resistance
13.3.5 Natural Radioactivity
13.4 Enhancement of Mechanical Strength Characteristics of AAC by Use of High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS-High Impact Polystyrene)
13.4.1 Mechanical Strength Properties and Porosity of ACC Modified with HIPS
13.4.2 Micro-structure Analysis of AAC Samples
13.5 Discussion and Conclusions
References
14 Dynamic Thermal Performance of Insulation Combined in Different Formations with Thermally Massive Components
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Location and Distribution of Structural and Insulating Components Inside a Plain Wall as Major Factors Determining Its Dynamic Thermal Performance Characteristics
14.3 Relationships Between the Structure Factors and the Response Factors
14.4 The Impact of Thermal Insulation Placement within Wall Assembly on Its Frequency Response
14.5 Thermal Response of a Building Exposed to Periodic Temperature Changes
14.6 Impact of Wall Material Configuration on Dynamic Thermal Performance of Whole Buildings
14.7 Conclusions
References
15 Thermal Efficiency of Insulation in Building Structures—The Impact of Thermal Bridging
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Definition of Thermal Bridges and Their Common Consequences
15.3 Types of Thermal Bridges and Most Common Locations
15.3.1 Thermal Bridges Generated by Building Geometry and Architectural Details
15.3.2 Thermal Bridges Characteristic of Building Materials and Construction Subsystems
15.3.3 Structural Thermal Bridges Due to Construction
15.3.4 Combined Thermal Bridges
15.4 Thermal Efficiency of Insulation in Thermally Bridged Systems
15.5 Engineering Methods for Thermal Bridge Analysis
15.6 Incorporation of Thermally Bridged Envelopes in Whole-Building Energy Simulations
15.7 Use of an Advance Insulation Technologies for Thermal Bridge Mitigation
15.8 Mitigation of Thermal Bridging in Envelopes Using High Performance Vacuum Panel Insulation
15.8.1 Influence of the VIP Edge Geometry and Edge Quality
15.9 Durability Problems Caused by Imperfections in Insulation and Thermal Bridging Generated by Structural and Finish Materials
15.10 Building Performance Standards Dealing with Building Thermal Bridging
References