Energy consumption prediction and its relationship with thermal conductivity measurement of insulating materials

Abstract

Temperature measurements and energy consumption analysis were carried out in an enclosure of the Regional Center of Azuero of the Technological University of Panama during the period of one (1) year, to analyze the effect produced by using materials with potential to thermally insulate in energy consumption. Two commercial materials were considered for this study: expanded polystyrene and gypsum with aluminum foil. For the thermal conductivity measurement, a prototype of thermal conductivity measurement was used, based on the ASTM-C177 standard and the Fourier law of conductive heat transfer. The thermal conductivity measurement was also performed on three materials based on natural fibers and cassava starch: rice straw, cane bagasse and coconut bast. With the data of temperature, energy consumption and thermal conductivity obtained, a relationship is presented that allows predicting the potential for insulation and consumption of new materials, considering first those materials that are considered agroindustrial wastes, with the aim of giving This waste an added value.