APPLICATION OF NEW ACTIVE THERMALLY ENHANCED INSULATION MATERIAL (PCM) – STOREPET

Abstract

Abstract: Lightweight constructions represent an economical alternative to traditional buildings, one of whose main drawbacks is the very high energy load needed to keep internal comfort conditions, as they are unable to curb rapid variations of temperature. When compared to heavier weight materials buildings, it is estimated that to maintain a thermally comfortable temperature range of 18-24°C, low weight materials use between 2 and 3 times the heating and cooling energy needed by a heavy weight material construction.

The research concept is based upon the fact that outdoor/indoor heat exchanges (which play a significant part of lightweight buildings cooling and heating loads) can be potentially controlled by a new fiber insulation that possesses a thermally active heat storage capacity. During the day, when temperature rises, the peak loads can be largely absorbed by a PCM (Phase Change Material) - enhanced fiber insulation layer, only to be slowly discharged back to the environment later (during the night time, when outside temperature drops), without affecting the interior building energy balance, as it is aided by the presence of an standard low heat transfer fiber insulation layer. This approach will provide a much slower response of the building envelope to daily temperature fluctuations, helping in maintaining inside temperature in a comfortable range and thus avoiding the need for extra energy consumptions to accomplish it. Effective levels of indoor comfort will be also guaranteed by the well known fiber materials excellence, when it comes to reduce airborne noise transmission and its superior performance upon controlling the sound resonance in construction cavities.

Development of such material is in final phase in frame of European FP7 project STOREPET  (FP7-SME-2011-2, Proposal 286730). Project participant from SEE is Construction Cluster „Dundjer” from Niš. Development and application of project results will be presented in this paper.

Keywords: building materials, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, light  building constructions,  energy efficiency,  sustainable building.