Investigation into Window Insulation Retrofitting of Existing Buildings Using Thin and Translucent Frame-Structure Vacuum Insulation Panels

Abstract

Insulation performance in older buildings is usually poor, so retrofitting the insulation in these buildings would reduce the energy required for heating, resulting in cost and energy savings. Windows account for a significant amount of the heat loss, therefore, we have developed vacuum layer type vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) with a frame structure that is also slim and lightweight. The developed VIPs are inexpensive and easy to install, as well as being slim and translucent, so retrofitting the window insulation of existing buildings can be easily performed. In this paper, we propose a frame covering with a low emissivity film and a gas barrier envelope coating, with a focus on a reasonable design method. Firstly, a structural model was created to evaluate the safety and specifications of the frame using element mechanical analysis. Next, a finite element model (FEM) was created to predict the insulation performance. Subsequently, experimental validation was completed and the insulation performance was evaluated with the measured thermal conductivity by a guarded hot plate (GHP) apparatus. Finally, case studies were used to evaluate the insulation performance under different conditions. The optimum design included a reasonable frame-structure to hold the vacuum layer with a high insulation thermal conductivity performance of approximately 0.0049 W/(m·K).

Transparent Vacuum Insulation Panels

“…Further, the value of P 0 is used to be 1013 kPa. The frame extreme deflection with different spans vales is revealed in Figure 8 [7]. However, the effect of these structural designs significantly influences the insulation capabilities.…”

“…Transparent Vacuum Insulation Panels DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.92422 demonstrated. The structural frame depicted in Figure 6 (on the left) [7] is used to maintain a vacuum gap when the internal pressure is decreased to 0.1 Pa. This clarifies that every frame should hold up an atmospheric pressure loading.…”

Energy conservation using new structured-core and transparent vacuum insulation panels: Numerical simulation with experimental validation

“…Lastly, in the third technique, the following correlation is used for the prediction of the value of 𝐶𝐶 ℎ−𝑐𝑐,𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑟𝑟 as follows (Yang et al, 2018):…”

“…In that regard, Cb is a black body radiation constant factor, and it is set to 5.67, as proposed by (Yang et al, 2018). After the thermal conductance owing to the radiation is evaluated, the increase in the vacuum space thermal conductivity owing to the radiation effect can be estimated by multiplication of the calculated Chc, radiation by the vacuum layer thickness.…”

Composites with Excellent Insulation and High Adaptability for Lightweight Envelopes

“…Even if the vacuum loss over time and the thermal bridging of the envelope are considered [9], the thermal conductivity is still as low as 0.006-0.008 W/(m•K). Another transparent or translucent VIP, used as a window or curtain, has been developed recently [10,11]. However, VIPs have some inevitable defects in adaptability or machining.…”