Development of electrochromic evacuated advanced glazing

Electrochromic evacuated advanced glazing has been developed, combining optimum dynamic control of the solar radiation penetrating into buildings with a high degree of thermal insulation. This was achieved by the optimisation of the electrochromic device materials (electrochromic, ion storage, protective layers, transparent conductors and polymer electrolytes) and by the refinement of a sealing method for evacuated glazing. Electrochromic evacuated glazing prototypes with dimensions up to 40 cm × 40 cm have been fabricated using vacuum techniques and chemical methods. The prototypes exhibit excellent optical and thermal performance, with a contrast ratio up to 1:32 (visible dynamic transmittance range T_lum,bleached = 63% and T_lum,colored = 2%), coloration efficiency up to 92 cm²/C and mid-pane U-values as low as 0.86 W m⁻² K⁻¹. Their durability in relation to real working environmental conditions has been assessed through indoor and outdoor testing. Such a glazing can be used in building applications to improve occupant thermal comfort, contribute to a reduction in space heating and cooling loads and allow for increased areas of fenestration thereby reducing artificial lighting loads. These factors reduce the energy demand for the building and therefore contribute to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.     

Kinetic and mechanism of the thermal degradation of a plywood by using thermogravimetry and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy analysis in nitrogen and air atmosphere

The thermal degradation of plywood was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) device. The TGA experiments were conducted between ambient temperature and 1000 °C for seven different heating rates: 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C min⁻¹. The experiments were realized under inert and air atmospheres in order to characterize the plywood thermal decomposition occurring during the pyrolysis and oxidative processes. Throughout all the tests, the gaseous emissions were continuously monitored using a Fourier transformed infra-red spectrometer (FTIR). The progress in the mass, the mass-loss rate (MLR) and gas emissions data allow to propose a mechanism of the thermal decomposition of plywood with six different stages. The reactions (stages) of this mechanism is of a rate represented by a modified Arrhenius law containing four unknown kinetic parameters (A, E_a, n and ν) for each reaction. These 24 unknown parameters are determined by using the inverse optimization method of the genetic algorithms. The model developed is validated regardless of the heating rate and atmosphere (inert or air) chosen. A very good agreement is obtained between the experimental and the numerical mass loss rate evolutions.     

Thermal analysis for a double glazing unit with and without a solar control film (SnS–CuxS) for using in hot climates

In this paper the thermal analysis by natural convection of a double glazing unit (DGU) is presented. One of the sheet glasses may or may not have a solar control film (SnS–Cu_xS) on its surface. Solar radiation falls on the outside surface of the DGU at 32 °C, the opposite sheet glass interacts with the inside environment at 24 °C. The governing equations of mass, momentum and energy of the air enclosed between the two sheet glasses are solved, as well as the heat conduction equation for both sheet glasses. The effect of varying the separation distance between the glasses (1.0 ≤ b (cm) ≤ 10.0) and the incident solar radiation is analyzed (500.0 ≤ G (W/m²) ≤ 800.0). From the results, it was found that in order to reduce heat gains towards the inside environment, the optimal separation distance between the sheet glasses was b ≥ 6.0 cm. It was also observed that, the use of a solar control film in this type of system (double glazing unit) is highly recommended; due to energy gain was reduced by 55% compared to the traditional DGU without solar control film.     

Comparison of fibrous insulations – Cellulose and stone wool in terms of moisture properties resulting from condensation and ice formation

Cellulose fibres are often used as thermal insulation in buildings. The organic nature of cellulose fibres, however, makes the insulation sensitive to high moisture content. This study investigates the moisture performance of cellulose insulation when exposed to a subzero environment. The paper is focused on the condensation and freezing in the material and includes comparison with the authors previous studies on stone-wool insulation. While the used stone-wool samples were water-repellent due to resin binders, cellulose is a typical representative for hydrophilic thermal insulation to which any contact with water condensate can be crucial.Test specimens of loose-fill cellulose were placed in a special laboratory device providing high moisture load. During a period of 100 h the specimens were subjected to a continuous load of moisture at atmospheric conditions on one side while the other side of the specimen faced a surrounding temperature of 0, −10 and −20 °C and the laboratory tests were repeated three times for each set of the specific thermal conditions (T_i = +20 °C, T_e = 0, −10 and −20 °C). The results indicate that there are minor changes in the water vapour permeability of the specimens. The experimental data from the investigation is compared with a mathematical model that simulates moisture diffusivity of cellulose together with accumulation due to sorption and freezing, using the actual climatic data.     

Effects of thermal cycles on mechanical properties of an optimized polymer concrete

The aim of this study is the design, fabrication and experimentally characterization of an optimized polymer concrete (PC). To this end, three factors, namely: the aggregate size, epoxy resin weight percentage, and chopped glass fiber percentage; are considered as the influencing factors on the compressive strength, bending strengths and interfacial shear strength between the PC and steel. The number of tests which are necessary to simultaneously optimize three above strengths of the PC are reduced based on the design of experiment using the orthogonal array technique or so-called Taguchi method. Comparison of the predicted strengths based on the Taguchi approach with the measured experimental results shows a good correlation between them. Afterward, the effect of three freeze/thaw thermal cycles; 25 °C to ?30 °C (cycle-A), 25 °C to 70 °C (cycle-B) and ?30 °C to 70 °C (cycle-C) for 7 days; on the strengths of the optimized PC is experimentally investigated. Comparison of the experimental results for the mechanical strengths measured at room temperature (RT) and above thermal cycles shows that the compressive strength of the optimally designed PC is not affected by heating and cooling cycles. On the other hand, the bending strength is more affected by exposing PC to the thermal cycle-B. The interfacial shear strength becomes affected by exposing the PC to cycles-A and -B, whereas no changes are observed on this strength by exposing to the thermal cycle-C. In general, among the three thermal cycles, cycle-B exerted the most deteriorating effect on the strengths.     

Techno-economical evaluation of a rice husk ash (RHA) based sand–cement block for reducing solar conduction heat gain to a building

This paper reports on the performance of a rice husk ash (RHA) based sand–cement block. Its performance is compared with that of a standard commercial clay brick. The RHA-cement block reduces solar heat gain in buildings and the comparisons include an evaluation of room temperature, solar conduction heat transfer and economics. An appraisal of the two was conducted using two small rooms (floor area of 5.75 m²). One of the rooms was constructed using the RHA based sand–cement block wall; the other, which served as the reference, used a commercial clay brick wall. Experiments were performed throughout a period of one summer month (March) in Thailand. The results showed that the RHA based sand–cement block reduced solar heat transfer by 46 W. An economic analysis indicates that the payback period of the RHA block in tandem with a 1 ton, split-type air conditioner depends on the indoor set-point temperature. The payback period is 4.08 years when the indoor set-point temperature of 26 °C is taken.     

Field experiments on thermal comfort in campus classrooms in Taiwan

This paper presents the results of the ASHRAE methodology for thermal comfort study applied in Taiwan. Field experiments conducted in 10 naturally ventilated and 26 air-conditioned campus classrooms used survey questionnaires and physical measurements to collect data. A total of 944 individuals in seven universities completed 1294 questionnaires. The chi-square tests were applied to find the significant aspects that affect students’ thermal sensations. The results show that air temperature, air movement and mean radiant temperature have significant influence, but humidity has no statistical significance. By using probit regressive analyses, the thermal neutrality and thermal preference of students occurred at 26.3 °C ET^* and 24.7 °C ET^*, respectively. Responses from those students suggest a wider acceptable temperature range for occupants in Taiwan. The margins of the acceptable zones obtained from direct and indirect acceptability assessing methods are 21.1–29.8 °C ET^* and 24.2–29.3 °C ET^*, respectively. When compared with similar studies elsewhere, this finding supports the sentiments on climatic adaptation.     

Suppression of sodium fires with liquid nitrogen

Sodium has unusual fire hazards, including autoignition when heated in air or exposed to liquid water. Owing to limitations of existing suppression agents for sodium pool fires, suppression using liquid nitrogen (LN₂) is examined here. Sodium pools of 5–80 g were heated in stainless steel beakers. At about 290 °C, pool surface autoignition occurred and caused a rapid pool temperature increase. Vapor phase combustion occurred when the pools reached 320–450 °C, ultimately leading to pool temperatures up to 700 °C. For suppression tests, LN₂ delivery (at 2.7 g/s) began when the fires became fully-developed, near a pool temperature of 600 °C. Liquid nitrogen was found to be an effective suppression agent. The minimum amount of LN₂ required to suppress a fully-developed sodium pool fire was found to be about three times the initial sodium pool mass.     

Long-term bond performance of GFRP bars in concrete under temperature ranging from 20 °C to 80 °C

Eighty pull-out specimens were used to study the effect of temperature ranging from 20 °C to 80 °C in dry environment on bond properties between Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) bars and concrete. The pullout-test specimens were subjected during 4 and 8 months to high temperatures up to 80 °C and then compared to untreated specimens (20 °C). Experimental results showed no significant reduction on bond strength for temperatures up to 60 °C. However, a maximum of 14% reduction of the bond strength was observed for 80 °C temperature after 8 months of thermal loading. For treated specimens, the coefficient β in the CMR model, which predicts the bond–stress–displacement behavior, seems to be dependant with the temperature.     

Performance analysis of a solar-assisted ground-source heat pump system for greenhouse heating: an experimental study

This study investigates the performance characteristics of a solar-assisted ground-source (geothermal) heat pump system (SAGSHPS) for greenhouse heating with a 50 m vertical 32 mm nominal diameter U-bend ground heat-exchanger. This system was designed and installed in the Solar Energy Institute, Ege University, Izmir (568 degree days cooling, base: 22 °C, 1226 degree days heating, base: 18 °C), Turkey. Based upon the measurements made in the heating mode from the 20th of January till 31st of March 2004, the heat extraction rate from the soil is found to be, on average, 57.78 W/m of bore depth, while the required borehole length in metre per kW of capacity is obtained as 11.92. Design practices in Turkey normally call for U-bend depths between 11 and 13 m/kW of heating. The entering water temperature to the unit ranges from 8.2 to 16.2 °C, with an average value of 14 °C. The greenhouse air has a maximum day temperature of 31.05 °C and night temperature of 14.54 °C with a relative humidity of 40.35%. The heating coefficient of performance of the heat pump (COP_HP) is about 2.00 at the end of a cloudy day, while it is about 3.13 at the end of sunny day and fluctuates between these values in other times. The COP values for the whole system are also obtained to be 5–20% lower than COP_HP. The clearness index during experimental period is computed as average 0.56. At the same period, Cucumus sativus cv. pandora F₁ was raised, and product quality was improved with the climatic conditions in the designed SAGSHPS. However, experimental results show that monovalent central heating operation (independent of any other heating system) cannot meet the overall heat loss of the greenhouse if the ambient temperature is very low. The bivalent operation (combined with other heating system) can be suggested as the best solution in Mediterranean and Aegean regions of Turkey.     

Assesment of clay bricks compressive strength using quantitative values of colour components

This study was conducted to assess the relationships among firing temperature, colour components and compressive strength of bricks. Lightness (L*) and chromaticity (a* and b*) of 10 replicated brick samples fired at temperatures 700–1050 °C in steps of 25 °C under free access of air, were measured with a colorimeter, which uses an L* a* b* colour space. Increasing firing temperature significantly increased the compressive strength of bricks. The values of L* slightly increased with firing temperature up to around 800 °C then decreased as temperature increased further. The values of b* and a* increased with increasing firing temperature up to around 900 °C then rapidly decreased with further increases in firing temperature. A negative relationship occurred between each of L*, a*, and b* and compressive strength. Compressive strength was adequately described by colour components of L* and b* by linear regression equations (R² = 0.87 for L*, and R² = 77 for b*). However, the relationship occurred between a* and compressive strength was quite poor. It was concluded that the numerical values of colour components of L* and b* may be used to predict and judge the compressive strength of bricks. However, the method can not be generalized before its calibrated with different raw materials under different firing conditions.     

Behavior of FRP-confined concrete after high temperature exposure

This paper presents the results of an experimental program to investigate the effect of high temperature on the performance of concrete externally confined with FRP sheets. For this purpose, a two-phase experimental program was conducted. In the first phase, 42 standard 100 × 200 mm concrete cylinders were prepared. Out of these specimens, 14 cylinders were left unwrapped; 14 specimens were wrapped with one layer of CFRP sheet; and the remaining 14 specimens were wrapped with one layer of GFRP sheet. Some of the unconfined and FRP-confined specimens were exposed to room temperature; whereas, other cylinders were exposed to heating regime of 100 °C and 200 °C for a period of 1, 2 or 3 h. After high temperature exposure, specimens were tested under uniaxial compression till failure. The test results demonstrated that at a temperature of 100 °C (a little more than the glass transition temperature (T_g) of the epoxy resin), both CFRP- and GFRP-wrapped specimens experienced small loss in strength resulting from melting of epoxy. This loss of strength was more pronounced when the temperature reached 200 °C. In the second phase of the experimental program, three 100 × 100 × 650 mm concrete prisms were prepared and then overlaid by one layer of CFRP and GFRP laminates for conducting pull-off strength tests as per ASTM D4541 – 09. The objective of this testing was to evaluate the degradation in bond strength between FRP and concrete substrate when exposed to elevated temperature environments. One prism was exposed to room temperature whereas the other two specimens were exposed to heating regime of 100 °C and 200 °C for a period of 3 h. It was concluded that a significant degradation in the bond strength occurred at a temperature of 200 °C especially for CFRP-overlaid specimens.     

Permeability of high-performance concrete subjected to elevated temperature (600 °C)

Permeability is one of the most important parameters to quantify the durability of high-performance concrete. Permeability is closely related with the spalling phenomenon in concrete at elevated temperature. This parameter is commonly measured on non-thermally damaged specimens. This paper presents the results of an experimental investigation carried out to study the effect of elevated temperature on the permeability of high-performance concrete. For this purpose, three types of concrete mixtures were prepared: (i) control high-performance concrete; (ii) high-performance concrete incorporating polypropylene fibres; and (iii) high-performance concrete made with lightweight aggregates. A heating–cooling cycle was applied on 160 × 320 mm, 110 × 220 mm, and 150 × 300 mm cylindrical specimens. The maximum test temperature was kept as either 200 or 600 °C. After the thermal treatment, 65 mm thick slices were cut from each cylinder and dried prior to being subjected to permeability test. Results of thermal gradients in the concrete specimens during the heating–cooling cycles, compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength of concrete mixtures are also presented here. A relationship between the thermal damage indicators and permeability is presented.     

Determination of smoldering time and thermal characteristics of firebrands under laboratory conditions

The laboratory experiment was conducted to simulate the transfer of smouldering particles produced in forest wildfires by a heated gas flow. The pine bark pieces with the linear dimensions L=(15; 20; 30) mm and a thickness of h=(4−5) mm were selected as model particles. The rate and temperature of the incident flow varied in the range of 1–3 m/s and 80–85 °C, respectively. The temperature of the samples was recorded using a thermal imager. To determine the minimum smouldering temperature of pine bark, the thermal analysis was conducted. The minimum smouldering temperature of pine bark was found to be 190 °C. This temperature will cause thermal decomposition of bark only at the first stage (oxidation of resinous components). In the study the smouldering time, the temperature and the weight of samples were obtained and analyzed under various experimental conditions. The data analysis shows that the increase in the particle size leads to the decrease in their mass loss, and the rate change of the incident flow does not practically influence the mass change. For particles with the linear dimensions of 10 mm and 20 mm, the mass varies from 6% to 25%. The maximum mass loss is observed for the flows with a rate of 1 and 2 m/s. The results have shown that the increase in the particle size leads to the increase in the smouldering time. The position of the particle plays an important role, the effect of which increases with increasing the particle size. The calculations showed that the smouldering time of bark samples is long enough for the particles to serve as new sources of spot fires. The particles were found to be transported to a distance of 218 m from the fire line which can certainly influence the propagation of the fire front.     

Influence of traffic force on pollutant dispersion of CO,NO and particle matter (PM2.5) measured in an urban tunnel in Changsha,China

Environmental safety issues and ventilation problems caused by the construction of urban tunnel have increasingly been attracting people’s attention. Previous studies in China have mainly focused on vehicle emissions and ventilation control technologies in road tunnels, resulting in a research gap on urban tunnel ventilation engineering design. Therefore, a detailed monitoring investigation was conducted from May 22 to June 2, 2013 in Changsha Yingpan Road Tunnel, China. The study aim was to measure the traffic characteristics, air velocity and the carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO_x) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) concentrations in this tunnel, which has two lanes per bore and multiple ramps. Measurement results show that during the workday morning peak, the maximum traffic flow was 1560 passenger-car-unit/h per lane with vehicle speed around 33.6 km/h in the eastbound tunnel, the average air velocity was 3.07 m/s, and the proportion of the light-duty vehicles (LDV) was 97.3%. Under the traffic force (not open fan), the CO and NO average concentrations at the main tunnel outlet were 20.3 ppm and 1.65 ppm, respectively. The gas pollutant concentrations are effectively controlled within the multiple-ramps tunnel and the design air volume flow is noticeably reduced. The traffic air flow was found to provide 32.5% of the required air volume to dilute NO_x in blocked traffic condition (vehicle speed of 10 km/h). In addition, the PM_2.5 concentration is mainly affected by the value of background outside the tunnel. The result can provide a quantitative assessment method to support pollutant concentration control and contribution of requested air volume by traffic flow in urban complex structure tunnel.     

Shear strength of RC beams subjected to cyclic thermal loading

The experiments were performed for assessing the influence of cyclic thermal loading on the shear strength of reinforced concrete (RC) beam specimens. One hundred eleven RC beams of 100 × 150 × 1200 mm size reinforced in tension zone with two bars of 8, 10 and 12 mm diameters were tested under four point loading. The beams were subjected to a number of thermal cycles varying from 7 to 28 cycles with peak temperature taken as 100, 200 and 300 °C. The effects of thermal cycles on the crack pattern, failure mechanism, first crack load and the shear strength of beams have been discussed. The shear strength of the beams has been found to increase by up to 10% at lower temperature cycles of 100 and 200 °C but reduces by up to 14% at higher temperature (300 °C) depending on the severity of thermal loading. The results of study emphasize the need for developing appropriate guidelines for the design of RC structural elements used in comparatively high temperature environment with cyclic thermal loading conditions.     

Impacts of impregnation chemicals on combustion properties of the laminated wood materials produced combination of beech and poplar veneers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of impregnation with boron compounds Borax (B_X), Boric acid (B_A), B_X + B_A, Imersol-Aqua (I_AQUA) and Timbercare-Aqua (T_AQUA) on combustion properties of the laminated wood materials produced combination of Oriental beech and poplar veneers bonded with Desmodur-VTKA (D_V) and Poly(vinyl acetate) (P_VAc) adhesives. The test samples, prepared from beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) and poplar (Populus nigra Lipsky) woods, were impregnated boron compounds by vacuum, I_AQUA by dipping and T_AQUA by brushing methods according to ASTM D 1413-76-99 and directions of the manufacturer. The laminated wood materials were prepared in the form of five layers, 4 mm thickness from the impregnated beech and poplar veneers according to TS EN 386. Combustion properties of samples after laminated and impregnated process were determined according to ASTM E 160-50. Considering the interaction of combustion type and impregnation materials, combustion temperature was found the highest in flame source combustion (F_SC) + T_AQUA (528.150 °C) but the lowest in without flame source combustion (WF_SC) + B_A (391.333 °C). Consequently, boron compounds and I_AQUA showed a decreasing impact on combustion properties of the laminated wood materials, produced combination of beech and poplar veneers, bonded with D_V. In consequence, impregnation with boron compounds and Imersol-Aqua of the laminated wood materials, bonded with Desmodur-VTKA, provides security for the usage of having high risk of fire.     

Temperature effects on mechanical behaviour of engineered stones

In this research, three types of artificial or engineered stones were compared against two types of natural stones (a limestone and a granite) in what concerns to temperature, thermal ageing and thermal shock effects on flexural strength and Young’s modulus. Temperatures of the thermal treatments, in the range from 20 to 200 °C, were intentionally chosen to simulate some practical applications of this kind of materials, for example, when they are used as kitchen tops. The results reveal the different characteristics of the materials. When tested at temperatures up to 100 °C, engineered stones show much higher values of flexural strength compared to the natural stones; and when tested at ambient temperature after being submitted to rapid cooling (thermal shock) from 200 °C down to 20 °C, engineered stones continue to show higher values of flexural strength compared to the natural stones. For the temperature range from 20 to 200 °C, thermal shock and thermal ageing effects on Young’s modulus are not very pronounced. Young’s modulus (E) of each of the materials was determined at ambient temperature, and the engineered stones keep almost the same value of E after thermal ageing or thermal shock up to 160 °C.     

Modeling temperature distribution and thermal property of asphalt concrete for laboratory testing applications

Material characterization from laboratory tests on asphalt concrete or predictions of pavement performance are meaningful only if temperature of the material is well taken into account. This paper discusses an analytical model to predict the transient temperature distribution within asphalt concrete and to determine its thermal properties. The paper also presents the laboratory test program designed to validate the model. Temperature measurements were carried out on a cylindrical specimen at different times after the specimen with a steady-state low temperature (3.5 °C) was placed inside an environmental chamber in a steady-state high temperature (36 °C). The temperature magnitude at different positions and its variation with time was recorded at a sampling rate of 1 min⁻¹. The analytical temperature models based on the classical planar wall and long cylinder were established to approximate the temperature distribution of asphalt concrete specimens with the geometry of a short cylinder or a beam. Thermal diffusivity as a function of thermal conductivity and heat convection is solved from the models, and then back-calculation was conducted to achieve the thermal properties using curve fitting. It was found that the analytical model could predict the measured temperatures reliably. For the materials used in this research, a thermal conductivity of 2.88 W/m °C and diffusivity of 1.42 × 10⁻⁶ m²/s were attained from the back-calculation. The time–temperature relationship, as determined from the prediction model, was found to be very sensitive to the geometric size and thermal properties of asphalt concrete.     

Year round performance and potential of a natural circulation type of solar water heater in India

The system consists of a flat-plate collector and a storage tank. Flat-plate collector is made of galvanised steel tube and aluminium plate, with MAXORB selective surface, encased in a mild steel tray with top single glass cover, bottom has been provided with glass wool insulation. It is kept facing equator and at λ+15° tilt (λ latitude of the place).The double walled storage tank is of 100 l capacity. The inner drum is made of 18 gauge galvanised steel and outer of mild steel. Space (100 mm) between them is filled with glass wool insulation.Performance and testing of solar water heater has been carried out extensively. It has been found that the heater can provide 100 l of hot water at an average temperature of 60.6 °C at 16:00 h when tap water temperature was 23.6 °C, it can retain hot water till next day morning at an average temperature of 51.6 °C. The overall efficiency of the heater is 57%.Based on performance at Jodhpur, a model has been developed by using ambient temperature and solar radiation for the prediction of its performance at various Indian stations. The predicted performance at various Indian stations revealed that hot water is required at most places for domestic use only during winter season and it can provide 100 l of hot water at an average temperature of 50–70 °C that can be retained to 40–60 °C till next day morning use.