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Conceptual analysis and design of a partitioned multifunctional smart insulation

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  • Kimber, Mark
  • Clark, William W.
  • Schaefer, Laura

Abstract

Building insulation performance in walls and roofs is typically assessed in terms of its R-value, a metric related to its ability to resist heat flow under steady state conditions. Past and present efforts by numerous researchers have resulted in a continued increase in achievable R-values. However, for most climates, there are times during a typical day and throughout a calendar year where it would be advantageous to enable switching between highly insulated and conductive states. A large energy savings potential exists for such an adaptive insulation by decreasing the load imposed on the heating or cooling system; however, practical realizations of adaptive insulation have not been fully developed. A new multifunctional insulation is presented in this paper where thin polymer membranes are positioned within a wall to create layers of air such that the role of natural convection becomes negligible. The heat passing through the wall must therefore travel through alternating layers of stagnant air and polymer membrane. To achieve the low R-value condition, the air is removed and the layers are compressed, essentially leaving only conduction through the polymer membranes. The focus of this paper is the analysis of such a multilayered wall in both the insulated and conductive states. Design strategies are presented for selecting suitable materials and wall geometry. The conceptual analysis presented here provides the framework for future studies focused on fabrication and experimental design of such a multifunctional smart insulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Kimber, Mark & Clark, William W. & Schaefer, Laura, 2014. "Conceptual analysis and design of a partitioned multifunctional smart insulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 310-319.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:114:y:2014:i:c:p:310-319
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.09.067
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Imbabi, Mohammed Salah-Eldin, 2006. "Modular breathing panels for energy efficient, healthy building construction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(5), pages 729-738.
    2. Taylor, BJ & Imbabi, MS, 1998. "The application of dynamic insulation in buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 377-382.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Favoino, Fabio & Jin, Qian & Overend, Mauro, 2017. "Design and control optimisation of adaptive insulation systems for office buildings. Part 1: Adaptive technologies and simulation framework," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 301-309.
    3. Jin, Qian & Favoino, Fabio & Overend, Mauro, 2017. "Design and control optimisation of adaptive insulation systems for office buildings. Part 2: A parametric study for a temperate climate," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 634-649.
    4. Karanafti, Aikaterina & Theodosiou, Theodoros & Tsikaloudaki, Katerina, 2022. "Assessment of buildings’ dynamic thermal insulation technologies-A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    5. Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula, 2022. "Thermal insulation solutions for opaque envelope of low-energy buildings: A systematic review of methods and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    6. Dehwah, Ammar H.A. & Krarti, Moncef, 2021. "Performance of precooling strategies using switchable insulation systems for commercial buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).
    7. Kishore, Ravi Anant & Bianchi, Marcus V.A. & Booten, Chuck & Vidal, Judith & Jackson, Roderick, 2021. "Enhancing building energy performance by effectively using phase change material and dynamic insulation in walls," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    8. Dehwah, Ammar H.A. & Krarti, Moncef, 2021. "Cost-benefit analysis of retrofitting attic-integrated switchable insulation systems of existing US residential buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    9. Miren Juaristi & Thaleia Konstantinou & Tomás Gómez-Acebo & Aurora Monge-Barrio, 2020. "Development and Validation of a Roadmap to Assist the Performance-Based Early-Stage Design Process of Adaptive Opaque Facades," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-27, December.
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    11. Favoino, Fabio & Overend, Mauro & Jin, Qian, 2015. "The optimal thermo-optical properties and energy saving potential of adaptive glazing technologies," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 1-15.
    12. Tyler R. Stevens & Nathan B. Crane & Rydge B. Mulford, 2023. "Topology Morphing Insulation: A Review of Technologies and Energy Performance in Dynamic Building Insulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-38, October.

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