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Gas-filled panels: an update on applications in the building thermal envelope

Griffith, B. T., Arasteh, D. and T┨rler, D.
1996
Proceedings of the BETEC Fall Symposium, "Superinsulations and the Building Envelope," Novemeber 14, 1995, Washington, DC

Griffith, B. T., Arasteh, D. and T┨rler, D., (1996), "Gas-filled panels: an update on applications in the building thermal envelope", Proceedings of the BETEC Fall Symposium, "Superinsulations and the Building Envelope," Novemeber 14, 1995, Washington, DC.
Abstract:
This paper discusses the application of Gas-Filled Panels to the building thermal envelope. Gas-Filled Panels, or GFPs, are thermal insulating devices that retain a high concentration of a low-conductivity gas, at atmospheric pressure, within a multilayer infrared reflective baffle. The thermal performance of the panel depends on the type of gas fill and the baffle configuration. Heat-flow meter apparatus measurements have shown effective apparent thermal conductivities of 0.194 Btu，in/h，ft 2 ，oF (0.028 W/m，K) with air as the gas fill, 0.138 Btu，in/h，ft 2 ，oF (0.020 W/m，K) with argon, and 0.081 Btu，in/h，ft 2 ，oF (0.012 W/m，K) with krypton. Calorimetric measurements have also shown total resistance levels of about R-12.6 h，ft 2 ，oF/Btu (2.21 m 2 ，oC/W) for a 1.0-inch (25.4 mm) thick krypton panel, R-25.7 h，ft 2 ，oF/Btu (4.52 m 2 ，oC/W) for a 2.0-inch. (50.8 mm) krypton panel, and R-18.4 h，ft 2 ，oF/Btu (3.24 m 2 ，oC/W) for a 1.0-inch. (25.4 mm) xenon panel. GFPs are flexible, self-supporting and can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes to thoroughly fill most types of cavities in building walls and roofs, although the modular nature of the panels can lead to complications in installing them, especially for irregularly shaped cavities. We present computer simulation results showing the improvement in thermal resistance resulting from using an argon-GFP in place of glass fiber batt insulation in wood-frame construction. This report also presents estimates of the quantity and cost of material components needed to manufacture GFPs using current prototype designs.

References:

Arasteh, D. et al. 1995. THERM 1.0 - Beta Version: Program Description. LBL #37371. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA.

Fanney, A.H. 1995. Personal communication. Letter dated November 6, 1995. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD.

Fanney, A.H. 1994. Test procedure for advanced insulation panels. Proceedings of the 1994 International CFC and Halon Alternatives Conference. Frederick, MD.

Graves, R.S. 1993, 1994. Personal communication. Letters dated March 12, 1993 and August 22, 1994. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.

Griffith, B.T., D. Arasteh, and S. Selkowitz. 1991. Gas-filled panel high-performance thermal insulation. Insulation Materials: Testing and Applications, 2d. vol.,

Graves/Wysocki, eds. Philadelphia: American Society for Testing and Materials.

Griffith, B.T. and D. Arasteh. 1992. Gas-filled panels: a thermally improved building insulation. Proceedings of the Thermal Performance of the Exterior Envelopes of Buildings V, pp. 96-102. American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Inc.

Griffith, B.T., D. Turler and D. Arasteh. 1993. Optimizing the effective conductivity and cost of gas-filled panel thermal insulations. Proceedings of the Twenty-Second International Conference of Thermal Conductivity. Tong ed. Technomic Publishing. Lancaster, PA.

Related Concepts

Author Information and Other Publications Notes
Griffith, B. T.
Building Technologies Program, Energy and Environment Division, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, CA 94720 USA
  1. Assessment of the technical potential for achieving net zero-energy buildings in the commercial sector
  2. Contrasting the capabilities of building energy performance simulation programs
  3. Framework for coupling room air models to heat balance model load and energy calculations (RP-1222)
  4. Issues associated with the use of infrared thermography for experimental testing of insulated systems
  5. Laboratory procedures for using infrared thermography to validate heat transfer models
  6. Surface temperatures of insulated glazing units: infrared thermography laboratory measurements
  7. Surface temperatures of window specimens: infrared thermography laboratory measurements  
Arasteh, D.
  1. A database of window annual energy use in typical North American residences
  2. Fenestration of today and tomorrow: A state-of-the-art review and future research opportunities
  3. Future advanced windows for zero-energy homes
  4. Highly insulating glazing systems using non-structural center glazing layers
  5. Issues associated with the use of infrared thermography for experimental testing of insulated systems
  6. Key elements of and material performance targets for highly insulating window frames
  7. Laboratory procedures for using infrared thermography to validate heat transfer models
  8. State-of-the-art highly insulating window frames -- research and market review
  9. Surface temperatures of insulated glazing units: infrared thermography laboratory measurements
  10. Surface temperatures of window specimens: infrared thermography laboratory measurements
  11. Window-related energy consumption in the US residential and commercial building stock
  12. Zero energy windows  
T┨rler, D.
  1. Laboratory procedures for using infrared thermography to validate heat transfer models
  2. Surface temperatures of insulated glazing units: infrared thermography laboratory measurements  


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