Phenolic Binder Content Impact on Total Heat Transfer for Fibrous Insulation Batts

Abstract

The total heat transfer through fibrous insulations for residential applications is comprised of coupled conduction, volumetric radiation, heat transport associated with H₂O vapor mass transfer and heat transport due to the adsorption and desorption of bound H₂O within the binder material of the fiberglass batt. Having previously studied the insulation thickness impact and the insulation substrate impact both analytically/numerically and experimentally, it was the purpose here to analytically/numerically study the impact of varying the phenolic binder content to determine its effect on the overall heat transfer for the coupled modes of heat transfer mentioned above. The phenolic binder coating on the glass fiber is hygroscopic and acts as a desiccant within the fiberglass insulation with regards to the adsorption and desorption of H₂O. This in turn can impact the vapor H₂O gradients and temperature gradients within the batt and hence impact the overall heat transfer. The purpose of this work is to predict the impact of varying the phenolic binder content on the overall heat transfer through an insulation batt which could be used for residential applications.

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