Technique for measuring the apparent thermal conductivity of flat insulations

Technical Report · Mon Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5924754

Moore, J P; McElroy, D L; Jury, S H

A technique for measuring the apparent thermal conductivity, lambda*, of flat insulations - either batt or loose - is described. This technique consists of a flat Nichrome-screen wire sandwiched between two samples and heated electrically. Results from a limited experimental test are described and compared with results from a pipe insulation tester. Thermal modeling of this system shows that accurate measurements with lambda* down to 0.01 W/m K and insulation thicknesses below 0.089 m (3 1/2 in.) should be straightforward. Measurement of lambda* for material as thick as 0.305 m (12 in.) should also be possible with a lateral guard scheme to reduce heat flow along the screen wire heater.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5924754
• Report Number(s): ORNL/TM-6494
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320101* -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Residential Buildings-- (-1987)
320104 -- Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization-- Commercial & Industrial Buildings-- (-1987)
BUILDINGS
DATA
DATA FORMS
ENERGY TRANSFER
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GRAPHS
HEAT TRANSFER
HOUSES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
INFORMATION
MEASURING METHODS
NUMERICAL DATA
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY
THERMAL INSULATION
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES