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Numerical Investigation and Experimental Verification of the Thermal Bridge Effect of Vacuum Insulation Panels with Various Cavities

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  • Chao Huang

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ankang Kan

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhaofeng Chen

    (College of Material Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China)

  • Chao Yang

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Yuan Zhang

    (Merchant Marine College, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Lixia Yang

    (College of Material Science and Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Nanjing 211106, China)

Abstract

Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) with cavities can be used in many applications, but their thermal bridge effect can be pronounced. In order to investigate the thermal bridge effect of VIPs with cavities, a numerical model was used for an analysis of the thermal bridge effect. The occurrence of the thermal bridge effect was investigated in nine groups of VIPs with different sizes and shapes of cavities. The results were experimentally verified. The results show that the effective heat transfer coefficient of VIPs decreases by 1.9% with an increase in the number of cavity sides, and the thermal bridge effect is much smaller with a larger number of cavity sides. The authors also found that an increase in the radius of the cavity tangent circle resulted in a more pronounced thermal bridge effect, with the effective thermal conductivity of the VIP increasing by 11.4%. In addition, the results obtained from the numerical analysis were verified by a simulation using COMSOL software (version 6.1). This study provides a reference for the variation rule of the thermal bridge effect in VIPs and reveals the numerical laws between the different parameters when the thermal bridge effect occurs.

Suggested Citation

  • Chao Huang & Ankang Kan & Zhaofeng Chen & Chao Yang & Yuan Zhang & Lixia Yang, 2025. "Numerical Investigation and Experimental Verification of the Thermal Bridge Effect of Vacuum Insulation Panels with Various Cavities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-19, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:3:p:467-:d:1572523
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Božiček, D. & Peterková, J. & Zach, J. & Košir, M., 2024. "Vacuum insulation panels: An overview of research literature with an emphasis on environmental and economic studies for building applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PA).
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    3. Alam, M. & Singh, H. & Limbachiya, M.C., 2011. "Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) for building construction industry – A review of the contemporary developments and future directions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(11), pages 3592-3602.
    4. Kalnæs, Simen Edsjø & Jelle, Bjørn Petter, 2014. "Vacuum insulation panel products: A state-of-the-art review and future research pathways," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 355-375.
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