Composite silica aerogels were prepared using sodium silicate and ceramics fibers. The thermal conductivities of these composites were investigated to determine how effective they would be as thermal insulation. As temperature increased to 400oC, the thermal conductivity of these composites only increased from 0.0266 to 0.0572 W/(m·K). This indicates that these composites which have good structural and mechanical properties would be good thermal insulators during thermal processes....
A porous matrix was prepared using low-density sawdust and a metakaolin-based geopolymer paste. The matrix was prepared in order to evaluate its performance as a thermally insulating building envelope. The matrices that had approximately 4 MPa of bi-axial four points flexural strength were prepared in a ratio of geopolymer paste:sawdust of between 1:1 and 1:1.5, and the thermal conductivity of these matrices was between 0.2-0.3 W/m·K....
This article discusses the creation of a porous mullite ceramic through the incorporation of fly ash cenospheres (FAC) into mullite powder through the gelcasting process. Sintering temperature and the amount of FAC added were investigated as factors affecting density and strength. The authors found that the porous mullite ceramics had a high strength, and high porosity (48.1-72.2%) Thermal conductivity was measured and was determined to be 0.16-0.22 W/mK....
Nanoparticle suspensions were prepared in two PCMs to determine the effect of the addition of nanoparticles on thermal conductivity and expediting freezing. The base PCMs used were cyclohexane and eicosane, and copper oxide nanoparticles were suspended in these hydrocarbons to produce nano-enhanced PCMs (nePCMs). The enhancement of thermal conductivity and expedited freezing were investigated by analytic, experimental, and numerical methods. The thermal conductivity in the liquid phase was significantly enhanced ...
The incorporation of phase change materials (PCMs) into concrete bridge decks shows promise as a method of decreasing freeze/thaw cycling in bridge decks. The authors have conducted a study to determine the best carrier to be used for the incorporation of PCMs into concrete, as well as the effects of the incorporation of the carriers and PCMs on strength and thermal properties of mortars. Four different PCMs (PCM6, PT4, ...
