1. Introduction
There has recently been an increasing demand for thermal-insulating products due to two main
factors:
(i) High energy costs and
(ii) Higher temperatures due to global warming.
Various market segments such as industrial companies, residential areas and the navy require products that offer superior thermo-insulating properties of various substrates at a cost effective price. This in turn has created a market demand for innovative technology to satisfy customer needs. Based on this growing trend, Samson has embarked on developing a thermal membrane (Light Thermal Membrane) for building structures which offers the following advantageous properties:
- Thermo-insulation
- Waterproofing
- Sound barrier
- Good weather resistance
- Reduction in electricity usage and costs
- Easy application
- Cost effective
This report is designed to demonstrate the thermal-insulating properties of the light thermal membrane when subjected to controlled heat conditions.
Thermal Composite Blanket
Innovation in thermo-insulation technology, designed to keep your surrounding environment cool.
The thermal composite blanket reduces heat transfer from the steel pipes to the surrounding environment:
- Hot pipes increase the environments temperature, making it hotter.
- Wrapping pipes with Thermal Composite Blanket will retain the energy from one point to another over long distances.
2. Objective
The objective of this study is to determine the thermal insulating properties of the light thermal
membrane.
3. Methodology
Wooden boxes were constructed and covered with corrugated iron roof sheets. A 500W lamp was placed above the box to generate heat. Log tags were placed 150mm away from the roof surface, below the roof (inside the box) and above the roof (outside the box) as can be seen in figure 1. The logtags digitally recorded temperatures at one minute intervals for a pre-defined time period. Two sample boxes were prepared as follows:
- Control – wooden box covered with only corrugated iron.
- Light Thermal Membrane – wooden box covered with corrugated iron roof which was coated with light thermal membrane.
Figure 1: Experiment set up of boxes, (A) control with only corrugated iron roof top and (B) corrugated iron roof top coated with light thermal membrane.
4. Results and Discussion:
Figure 2 show that the temperature for the control was approximately 4°C higher inside the box compared to the temperature inside the box covered with the light thermal membrane. This indicates that the light thermal membrane prevented heat from being conducted through the roof’s surface hence keeping the interior of the box cooler than the control.
Figure 3 below shows an increase in temperature difference between the inside temperatures of the two boxes ranging from 1.5°C at 5mins with an exterior temperature of 44°C to 4°C at 110mins with an exterior temperature of 64°C. This is a 0.125°C increase in temperature difference for every 1°C increase in the exterior temperature which indicates that as the exterior temperature increases, the performance of the thermal membrane increases.
Figure 2: Temperature measured 150mm away from the roof surface inside and outside the box.
Figure 3: Temperature readings recorded inside the boxes 150mm away from the roof surface.
Figure 4 below shows a temperature difference of approximately 29°C between the inside and outside of the control box and 33°C for the box covered with the light thermal membrane. Once again, the same trend is observed as in figure 2 and 3 where there is an increase in the difference between the control and the thermal membrane covered box as exterior temperature increases.
Figure 4: Temperature difference between inside and outside temperatures for the boxes.
5. Conclusion and Recommendations
It can be concluded from the results presented in figure 2, 3 and 4 that covering the corrugated iron roof sheets with the light thermal membrane yielded effective thermal insulating properties. A 4°C decrease in the interior temperature was observed and trends showed that as the exterior temperature increased, the decrease in interior temperature was greater. A 0.125°C increase in temperature difference between the control and thermal membrane was observed for every degree increase in the exterior temperature. The results clearly showed the ability of the light thermal membrane to reduce the conductivity of heat through the roof surface on a ‘hot’ day. The additional advantages of using light weight membrane include waterproofing, good weather resistance, low energy consumption due to less air-conditioning use, good sound barrier and easy external application to various roof surfaces. It is therefore recommended that light thermal membrane is an ideal option for a cost effective, thermal insulating and waterproofing product for building structures.