Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6728700 | Energy and Buildings | 2018 | 11 Pages |
Abstract
Polycarbonate panels could be considered as a suitable and cheap solution for walls, roofs, and sheds in non-residential buildings and, at the same time, granular silica aerogel is one of the most promising nano-materials for energy saving in buildings. In the paper, three types of advanced multiwall PC panels (thickness 16, 25, and 40â¯mm) with translucent granular aerogel were investigated by experimental (thermal and optical) and numerical characterization. By comparing thermal performance of air and aerogel-filled PC systems, it can be noticed that the impact of the aerogel is remarkable: the reduction in U-value is 46%-68%, depending on the aerogel layer thickness. U-value is 1.4â¯W/m2K for the 16â¯mm thickness sample and it is 0.6â¯W/m2K when the thickness increases up to 40â¯mm. The systems keep their performance in horizontal position, when they are used as roofs. Light transmittance is 0.61 and 0.42 for 16â¯mm and 40â¯mm respectively and the reduction with respect to air-filled panels is acceptable (15%) for 16â¯mm and significant (40%) for 40â¯mm thickness. The aerogel has also a remarkable impact on the reflectance spectrum, especially between 400 and 1400â¯nm. The solar factor is 0.58 for 25â¯mm thickness, quite similar to the low-e glazing one. Finally, energy simulations for a case study showed that aerogel-filled PC systems outperform conventional double glazing systems both for heating and cooling energy demands. However, when compared to low-e glazings, the benefits of the translucent material (also considering the highest thickness) in the interspace are lower for heating and negligible for cooling energy demands. The aerogel-filled polycarbonate systems could be a valid solution for non-residential buildings, enhancing the thermal performance and the light control of the building envelope, especially when they are used as roofs.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Energy
Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
Authors
Elisa Moretti, Michele Zinzi, Francesca Merli, Cinzia Buratti,