Conversion of Eelgrass into effective building insulation. [Eelgrass-Zostera marina]

Technical Report · Thu Mar 22 23:00:00 EST 1984

OSTI ID:5428944

Rue, M L

To test the suitability of accelerated solar drying of Zostera marina (Eelgrass), a solar heated drying chamber was constructed. Initially, a small pilot unit was assembled to verify the concept. Temperatures well over 200/sup 0/F were achieved with this unit, so a larger version of approximately 50 square feet of solar surface was constructed. The principal used in the construction was as noted on the following description, however, a stationary unit, not floating, was used for the drying tests. It was found that eelgrass could be dried to a form suitable for use in approximately 4 to 6 hours. During that time, the water content of the leaves was reduced from 4 to 5 times their dry weight to equilibrium moisture level. This compares wtih a reported 3 to 4 weeks drying time required of open air sun drying used in the early part of this century. See following chart for a typical drying run. The major problem encountered during the drying cycle was that the eelgrass on the top surface, as it dried, formed an insulating blanket over the grass below. It became necessary to periodically turn over the material for more uniform drying. A slowly rotating drying chamber would resolve this problem on future designs. The paper contains further information on various seagrasses.

• Research Organization: Rue (Matthew L.), Lambertville, NJ (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: FG42-79R205065
• OSTI ID: 5428944
• Report Number(s): DOE/R2/05065-T1; ON: DE85015652
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140905
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
DESIGN
DRYERS
DRYING
EQUIPMENT
GRASS
MATERIALS
PERFORMANCE
PLANTS
SOLAR DRYERS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THERMAL INSULATION