Search Results (9)

The integration of energy-active elements into the building envelope in the form of large-area heating/cooling, active thermal protection (ATP), thermal barriers (TB), and TABS represents a technical solution that is consistent with the principles of energy sustainability, resilience, and adaptability to climate change and ensures affordable and clean energy for all while protecting the climate in the context of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The aim and innovation of our research is to develop energy multifunctional facades (EMFs) that are capable of performing a dual role, which includes the primary known energy functions of end elements and the additional innovative ability to serve as a source of heat/cooling/electricity. This new function of EMFs will facilitate heat dissipation from overheated facade surfaces, preheating of hot water, and electricity generation for the operation of building energy systems through integrated photovoltaic components. The theoretical assumptions and hypotheses presented in our previous research work must be verified by experimental measurements with predictions of the optimal operation of building energy systems. Most existing studies on thermal barriers are based on calculations. However, there are few empirical measurements that quantify the benefits of ATP in real operation and specify the conditions under which different types of ATP are feasible. In this article, we present the development, design, and implementation of an experimental prototype of a prefabricated building module with integrated energy-active elements. The aim is to fill the knowledge gaps by providing a comprehensive framework that includes the development, research, design, and implementation of combined energy systems for buildings. The design of energy systems will be developed in BIM. An important result of this research is the development of a technological process for the implementation of a contact insulation system with integrated ATP in modular and panel buildings with a lightweight envelope. Full article

Modular and prefabricated buildings are advantageous in terms of construction, transport, energy efficiency, fixed costs, and the use of environmentally friendly materials. Our research aims to analyze, evaluate, and optimize a lightweight perimeter structure with an integrated active thermal protection (ATP). We have developed a mathematical–physical model of a wall fragment, in which we have analyzed several variants through a parametric study. ATP in the energy function of a thermal barrier (TB) represents a high potential for energy savings. Cold tap water (an average temperature of +6 °C, thermal untreated) in the ATP layer of the investigated building structure increases its thermal resistance by up to 27.24%. The TB’s mean temperature can be thermally adjusted to a level comparable to the heated space (e.g., +20 °C). For the fragment under consideration, optimizing the axial distance between the pipes (in the ATP layer) and the insulation thickness (using computer simulation) reveals that a pipe distance of 150 mm and an insulation thickness of 100 mm are the most suitable. ATP has significant potential in the design of sustainable, resilient, and climate-adaptive buildings, thereby meeting the UN SDGs, in particular the Sustainable Development Goal 7 ‘Affordable and Clean Energy’ and the Goal 13 ‘Climate Action’. Full article

This article is closely related to the oldest article titled Contribution to Active Thermal Protection Research—Part 1 Analysis of Energy Functions by Parametric Study. It is a continuation of research that focuses on verifying the energy potential and functions of so-called active thermal protection (ATP). As mentioned in the first part, the amount of thermal energy consumed for heating buildings is one of the main parameters that determine their future design, especially the technical equipment. The issue of reducing the consumption of this energy is implemented in various ways, such as passive thermal protection, i.e., by increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the individual materials of the building envelope or by optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. On the other hand, there are also methods of active thermal protection that aim to reduce heat leakage through nontransparent parts of the building envelope. This methodology is based on the validation of the results of a parametric study of the dynamic thermal resistance (DTR) and the heat fluxes to the interior and exterior from the ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks, presented in the article “Contribution to the research on active thermal protection—Part 1, Analysis of energy functions by the parametric study”, by long-term experimental measurements. The novelty of the research lies in the involvement of variant-peak heat/cooling sources in combination with RES and in creating a new, original way of operating energy systems with the possibility of changing and combining the operating modes of the ATP. We have verified the operation of the experimental house in the energy functions of thermal barrier, heating/cooling with RES, and without RES and ATP. The energy saving when using RES and ATP is approximately 37%. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogous forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the development of building envelopes with energy-active elements, we present further possible outcomes in the field of ATP, as well as already realized and upcoming prototypes of thermal insulation panels. Full article

The thermal energy consumption for heating objects is one of the main parameters deciding their technical and structural solution. Reducing energy consumption is realized in various ways. The most used method is passive thermal protection, that is, increasing the thermal insulation parameters of the envelope constructions and optimizing the operation of the technical equipment of the buildings. There are also methods of active thermal protection to reduce heat leakage through non-transparent parts of the building envelope. Active thermal protection (ATP) is a dynamic process that applies primarily to building structures with integrated energetically active elements that fulfill one or more functions in mutually exclusive operating modes of energy systems and heat sources, such as thermal barriers (TB), large-scale heating/cooling, long-term heat/cool storage, capturing solar energy, and energy from the surroundings or even recovering heat in the cold season or cold in the warm season and other combinations. The research area focuses on analyzing active thermal protection’s energy potential. The methodology is based on a parametric study of dynamic thermal resistance (DTR), and heat flows to the interior and exterior from ATP for the investigated envelope of the experimental house EB2020 made of aerated concrete blocks. Such constructions generally show a consistently high DTR of 11.8 to 30.8 ((m²·K)/W) at a low mean heat transfer temperature of 10 to 16 °C, corresponding to the thermal insulation of 300 to 1000 mm. In the case of ATP storage heating with an average temperature of the heat-carrying substance of 30 °C, the heat flow into the interior of the investigated structure would be only 2.31 W/m². Therefore, they are only suitable for a thermal barrier and heat/cold accumulation. Based on the synthesis and induction of analogical forms of the results of previous research into recommendations for the design of individual energy functions of ATP for perimeter structures of buildings, we present heat flows to the interior/exterior when changing the material of the layers towards the interior from ATP and describe possible variants of the development of building structures with integrated energetically active elements. Full article

This article focuses on the investigation of the dynamic thermal barrier (TB) and dynamic thermal resistance (DTR) of the building envelope. The aim is to analyze the DTR as a function of the temperature change of the heat transfer medium supplied to the dynamic TB layer and to determine the energy potential of several materially different fragments of the building envelope. The functions of TB and DTR depend on the uniform and continuous maintenance of temperature in a given layer of the building structure. The methodology is based on the analysis and synthesis of thermal resistance calculation, wall heating, and computer simulation. The research results show that the relatively low mean temperature of the heat transfer medium of approximately θ_m = 17 °C delivered to the TB layer represents R_DTR = up to 30 ((m²·K)/W) for an equivalent dynamic thermal insulation thickness of 1000 mm for a required standard resistance of R_STANDARD = 6.50 ((m²·K)/W) of the individual fragments analyzed with static thermal insulation of 65 to 210 mm. The energy potential of a thermal barrier (TB) represents an increase of approximately 500% in the thermal resistance and up to 1500% in the thickness of the dynamic thermal insulation. Further research on the dynamic thermal barrier and verification of the results of the parametric study will continue with comprehensive computer simulations and experimental measurements on the test cell. Full article

Fully bio-based poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) blends plasticized with tributyrin (TB), and their nanocomposite based on chitin nanoparticles (ChNPs) was developed using melt mixing followed by a compression molding process. The combination of PHB and ChNPs had an impact on the crystallinity of the plasticized PLA matrix, thus improving its oxygen and carbon dioxide barrier properties as well as displaying a UV light-blocking effect. The addition of 2 wt% of ChNP induced an improvement on the initial thermal degradation temperature and the overall migration behavior of blends, which had been compromised by the presence of TB. All processed materials were fully disintegrated under composting conditions, suggesting their potential application as fully biodegradable packaging materials. Full article

The research described in this study focuses on the innovation and optimization of building envelope panels with integrated energy-active elements in the thermal barrier function. It is closely related to developing and implementing the prototype prefabricated house IDA I with combined building-energy systems using renewable energy sources. We were inspired by the patented ^®ISOMAX panel and system, which we have been researching and innovating for a long time. The thermal barrier has the function of eliminating heat loss/gain through the building envelope. By controlling the heat/cold transfer in the thermal barrier, it is possible to eliminate the thickness of the thermal insulation of the building envelope and thus achieve an equivalent thermal resistance of the building structure that is equal to the standard required value. The technical solution of the ISOMAX panel also brings, besides the use of the thermal barrier function, the function of heat/cold accumulation in the load-bearing part of the building envelope. Our research aimed to design and develop a panel for which the construction would be optimal in terms of thermal barrier operation and heat/cold accumulation. As the production panels in the lost formwork of expanded polystyrene (according to the patented system) proved to be too complicated and time consuming, and often showed shortcomings from a structural point of view, the next goal was to design a new, statically reliable panel construction with integrated energy-active elements and a time-saving, cost-effective, unified production directly in the panel factory. In order to develop and design an innovative panel with integrated energy-active elements, we analyzed the composition of the original panel and designed the composition of the innovative panel. We created mathematical–physical models of both panels and analyzed their energy potential. By induction and an analog form of formation, we designed the innovative panel. Based on the synthesis of the knowledge obtained from the scientific analysis and the transformation of this data, most of the building components and all the panels with integrated energy-active elements were manufactured directly in the prefabrication plant. Subsequently, the prototype of the prefabricated house IDA I was realized. The novelty of our innovative building envelope panel solution lies in the panel’s design, which has a heat loss/gain that is 2.6 times lower compared to the ISOMAX panel. Full article

The development of high-performance thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with high flame retardancy and low toxicity has always been the focus of its research. In this paper, the novel 3D hollow layered double hydroxide/molybdenum disulfide (LDH/MoS₂) hybrid materials were synthesized by hydrothermal method using the MIL-88A as in situ sacrificial template and MoS₂ as synergistic flame retardant. Among all TPU composites, the peak heat release rate, total heat release rate, and total smoke release rate of TPU/NiFeTb-LDH/MoS₂ were reduced by 50.9%, 18.2%, and 35.8% compared with pure TPU, respectively. The results of the thermogravimetric infrared analysis demonstrated that the contents of combustible volatiles (hydrocarbons) and toxic volatiles (CO and HCN) emitted from TPU/LDH/MoS₂ were significantly reduced, indicating that LDH/MoS₂ hybrid materials can dramatically enhance the fire safety of TPU composites. Combined with the analysis of carbon residues and thermal stability of TPU composites, the enhanced flame retardancy and smoke suppression performances are primarily attributed to the catalytic carbonization of LDH and the physical barrier effect of MoS₂. Full article

Thermal engineering requirements for building structures are becoming more and more strict. Thermal barriers (TBs) are energy-active elements integrated into the building structure in which a heat transfer medium (water or air) flows. A survey of the scientific literature on the subject points to the fact that this is a very topical and promising area of research and, so far, most studies on TBs are based on calculations, computer simulations and experimental measurements. Few studies have focused on the economic and environmental aspects of TB use. Following the research results presented by authors from all over the world, as well as our contributions in this scientific field that are described in a European patent, three utility models and scientific articles, in this study we have focused on the evaluation of the TB in terms of energy performance, economic efficiency and environmental friendliness by comparing the use of a classical envelope wall with the required thickness of thermal insulation meeting the normative requirements for thermal resistance R ((m²K)/W) and a perimeter wall with an integrated TB significantly eliminating the thermal insulation thickness. We evaluate the use of the thermal barrier using: economic indicator one, where we compare the cost of heat delivered to the TB in a structure with significantly eliminated thermal insulation and the saved cost of thermal insulation at the standard thickness; economic indicator two, where we compare the cost of heat delivered to the TB in a structure with significantly eliminated thermal insulation with the potential gain from the sale of the useful area of the building gained compared to the area at the normative thickness of thermal insulation; and economic indicator three, where we compare the cost of heat delivered to the TB in a structure with significantly eliminated thermal insulation with the cost of grey energy at the normative thickness of thermal insulation. Based on a parametric study based on theoretical assumptions, it can be concluded that the thermal barrier shows a very promising and efficient solution in terms of the evaluation of economic indicators one to three, which are even more significant if we use heat for the TB from renewable energy sources (RES) or waste heat. Full article