Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yijiang Wang, Chaochao Wang, Shang Gao, Xiaofeng Zheng, Jo Darkwa
Summary: The study investigated the impact of thermal insulation on reducing heat flux through rock in deep mines. Results show that using thermal insulation can significantly reduce heat flux between tunnel and airflow, with the reduction varying based on tunnel and insulation conditions. The total cost of using thermal insulation initially decreases and then increases with insulation thickness, indicating an optimal thickness. Additionally, rising rock temperature can increase both optimal insulation thickness and maximum life cycle savings, leading to a reduced payback period.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES AND ASSESSMENTS
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Marco Pedroso, Jose Dinis Silvestre, M. Gloria Gomes, Jessica D. Bersch, Ines Flores-Colen
Summary: In the current context of climate change, reducing energy and environmental impacts while maintaining economic balance and user comfort is crucial. Thermal insulation solutions are potential allies in meeting sustainability requirements for existing buildings. This study compares innovative thermal renders with conventional insulation materials and finds that sisal-fiber-based thermal renders demonstrate the best overall performance.
Review
Construction & Building Technology
Muhamad Zahin Mohd Ashhar, Lim Chin Haw
Summary: This paper discusses the potential of using reflective foil as a roof thermal insulation system to reduce cooling energy in buildings, especially in tropical regions. It also covers various thermal performance test methods and factors affecting thermal performance.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mohammed R. A. Alrasheed
Summary: This study improved the performance of Composite Insulation External Walls (CIEW) by optimizing the thickness of the structural and insulation layers. The research aimed to minimize the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and maximize the Life Cycle Savings (LCS) of CIEW. The results showed that the LSE method had greater economic efficiency compared to the traditional optimization method.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Mert Tukel, Ekrem Tuncbilek, Anna Komerska, Gulsen Aydln Keskin, Muslum Arici
Summary: This study proposes a novel approach based on thermoeconomic analysis to reclassify the climatic zones of Turkey, taking into account different climatic-built parameters. The results demonstrate the inadequacy of the current national thermal zoning methodology for mild climates, highlighting the need for further research to reduce energy costs and global greenhouse gas emissions.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Rafael Monge Palma, Jose Sanchez Ramos, MCarmen Guerrero Delgado, Teresa Rocio Palomo Amores, Gigliola D'Angelo, Servando Alvarez Dominguez
Summary: The ongoing energy crisis in Europe highlights the building sector's role in energy consumption, especially in countries like Spain with a high percentage of dwellings lacking thermal efficiency. Encouraging homeowners to undertake renovations, particularly those involving complex thermal insulation techniques, can be challenging. This study identifies the optimal renovation package for six residential building models in 90% of southern Europe climates using three different methodologies: a conventional cost-optimal approach, a method considering the impact of internal insulation on floor loss, and a CO2eq emissions approach.
ENERGY AND BUILDINGS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Stephen Comello, Gunther Glenk, Stefan Reichelstein
Summary: This paper introduces a life-cycle cost model for mobility services to study utilization rates and cost efficiency in clean energy transportation. The analysis of urban transit buses reveals that electric buses can achieve lower life-cycle costs at high utilization rates.
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Konstantin Verichev, Antonio Serrano-Jimenez, Manuel Carpio, Angela Barrios-Padura, Carmen Diaz-Lopez
Summary: The life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) is a widely used method for determining the optimum insulation thickness of building envelopes. This study analyzed the variations and uncertainties of LCCA results based on different HDD and CDD calculation methods in Mediterranean and Semi-Arid climates. The results showed that the choice of calculation method significantly affected the determined insulation thicknesses.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Yizhe Xu, Chengchu Yan, Guanqun Wang, Jingfeng Shi, Kai Sheng, Jun Li, Yanlong Jiang
Summary: With the ongoing process of urbanization, retrofitting of old buildings has become an urgent requirement. This study focuses on the retrofitting of school buildings, considering the impact on student health and carbon neutrality policies. The paper proposes a comprehensive optimization method for energy-saving and life-cycle decarbonization retrofitting of existing school buildings. The findings demonstrate the effectiveness of the optimization method in achieving excess renewable power generation and reducing carbon emissions.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Daron Spence, David A. Cullen, Georgios Polizos, Nitin Muralidharan, Jaswinder Sharma
Summary: Hollow silica particles are a new class of insulation materials with high potential for thermal insulation, but current synthesis methods have low yields and high costs. This study presents a high-yield, low-cost synthesis method and investigates the effect of carbon black on the thermal conductivity of hollow silica particles.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Georges Atallah, Faris Tarlochan
Summary: A study compared the economic feasibility of constant refrigerant flow (CRF) and variable refrigerant flow (VRF) systems through a life cycle cost analysis, finding that although the VRF system has higher initial costs, it has lower present worth costs and greater energy savings at the end of its lifetime compared to the CRF system.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Md Jaynul Abden, Zhong Tao, Mohammad A. Alim, Zhu Pan, Laurel George, Richard Wuhrer
Summary: This paper evaluates the use of phase change materials (PCM) and thermal insulation in the building envelope of a typical Australian house to promote energy efficiency and cost savings. The results demonstrate that this combination significantly improves the energy ratings and saves costs, depending on the climate zone. This indicates that employing PCM materials and thermal insulation in residential buildings is an effective way to enhance energy efficiency.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Kasun Nandapala, Rangika Halwatura
Summary: This study compared the performance of polystyrene and bamboo insulation materials in roof insulation. The results indicate that polystyrene has better thermal insulation properties compared to bamboo, but bamboo has a shorter payback period.
CASE STUDIES IN CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yeobeom Yoon, Byeongmo Seo, Junghyun Mun, Soolyeon Cho
Summary: South Korea is densely populated and the majority of residential buildings are apartments, with a significant number being over 20 years old. Old apartments have poor thermal performance and balconies have been removed to create more indoor space. This paper proposes a retrofitting method using a double-skin facade system that can reduce energy consumption by up to 44.1%. Despite a long payback period, this method has the potential for significant energy savings and CO2 emission reductions. Evaluation rating: 8/10.
JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Yazeed Alsaqabi, Abdulbasit Almhafdy, Husnain Haider, Amirhosein Ghaffarianhoseini, Ali Ghaffarianhoseini, Ahmed AbdelMonteleb M. Ali
Summary: The effectiveness of insulation materials in a hot arid climate was evaluated for residential buildings in Saudi Arabia. The study suggests that thinner insulation layers can be used on the northern and western facades without violating building codes.