THE EFFECT OF SAND PARTICLE SIZE ON THE THERMAL INSULATION EFFICIENCY OF CEMENT CONCRETE
ABSTRACT
This study was aimed at investigating the effect of sand particle size on the thermal insulation efficiency of cement concrete. Standard laboratory methods were employed in carrying out this study. The study revealed that sample D, with the radius of 2.8 x 10 –4 m has the highest thermal insulation efficiency value of 29.60% and sand sample A, with the radius of 3.5 x 10 –4 m, has the lowest thermal insulation efficiency value of 0.32%. This implies that the thermal insulation increases with decrease radius of the concrete materials. Therefore, it is recommended that concrete with lower radius be used in buildings that require high thermal insulation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page – – – – – – – – – i
Certification – – – – – – – – – ii
Dedication – – – – – – – – – iii
Acknowledgments – – – – – – – – iv
Abstract – – – – – – – – – v
Table of Contents – – – – – – – – vi
CHAPTER ONE
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the study – – – – – – 1
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study – – – – 4
1.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study – – – – 5
1.4 Definition of Terms – – – – – – 5
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Concept of Thermal Energy – – – – – 7
2.2 Specific Heat Capacity – – – – – – 10
2.3 Thermal Conduction – – – – – – 12
2.4 Thermal Insulation – – – – – – – 14
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHOD
3.1 Materials – – – – – – – – 15
3.1.1 Experimental Set-Up – – – – – – 15
3.2 Sample Collection and Preparation – – – – 16
3.2.1 Sample Collection – – – – – – – 16
3.2.2 Sample Preparation – – – – – – 16
3.3 Method – – – – – – – – 16
3.3 Theory – – – – – – – – 18
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULT, CALCULATION AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Results – – – – – – – – 21
4.2 Calculation – – – – – – – – 22
4.3 Discussion – – – – – – – – 26
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1 Summary – – – – – – – – 27
5.2 Conclusion – – – – – – – 27
5.3 Recommendations – – – – – – 28
References
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
Thermal insulation is defined as a process which involves the use of a material or combination of materials which on application retards the flow of heat and adapt to the shape, size and surface (Shukla, 2011; Khanolelwal, 2010). Thus, insulation is the outcome of performing the process to thermally isolate the system using insulating materials to reduce the heat transfer rate drastically between the system and the adjacent body. The term thermal insulation is applied in the temperature range from-75oC to 815oC and applications below -75oC are termed ‘cryogenic’ while above 815oC are termed as ‘refractory’ (TIAC, 2005).
Insulation materials are very basic and important requirements in any industry dealing with various heat transfer operations. For instance, in the daily and food industry and steam supply, store the product at low temperature either in cold storages or in tanks and transportation of the products at lower temperature. Thermal insulation becomes very important at retarding heat flow in order to prevent or minimize the change of temperature of the system or the space. As dairy, construction and other industries involves several unit operations, either at higher temperature or lower temperature as compared to ambient conditions of the air, the use of insulation materials in dairy and other industries is inevitable for the conservation of energy. There are several insulation materials available in the market having different insulating properties. It is very important to select right type of insulating material considering the temperature and made of heat transfer involved. The selection of insulating material, deciding the thickness, correct method of performing the insulation processes, are some of the important considerations to achieve optimum results.
A thermal insulator is a basically poor conductor of heat having very low thermal conductivity. Glass wool, polystyrene and polyurethane foam are widely used as insulating materials in construction industry (BEE, 2012). The addition of those insulating materials in the production of concretes plays a major role in energy conservation of building structures. They help in reducing the transmission of thermal energy through walls, floors, cooler in the summer. Reducing the transmission of thermal energy in buildings also allows for sufficient high temperatures in side the building during the winter (Latha et al., 2015). The thickness of a thermally insulated concrete walls should provide a delay at about 8-10 hours so that the peak heat input stored externally around noon creates a peak flow into the interior in the middle of the social hours of the mid-evening. As the external temperature rapidly drops, in the evening, this is the time at which most heating is needed. Later on, when people are in bed, the internal temperature of the building can be allowed to drop thereby making the room comfortable for sleeping (Zhang et al., 2004).
Many direct and indirect advantages of insulation have been reported (HDC, 2005; BEE, 2012; Arora and Domkundwar, 1973). Thermal insulation deliver lots of benefits like, reducing overall energy consumption, better process control by maintaining process temperature, prevents corrosion, provides fire protection and absorbs vibration (TIAC, 2005). Enhanced thermal protection is the most cost efficient way to reduce energy lost and operational cost (Kosny and Gawin, 2001). Substantial Quantity of heat energy is wasted in industrial plants nationwide because of insulated, under maintained or under insulated heated or cooled surfaces (Khandewal, 2010). Properly designed and installed insulation systems reduce the consumption of energy. Some recent studies demonstrated that application of thermal insulation may result in decrease of heat and cooling energy saving up to 25% (Feustel, 1995). Some reports also inferred that, insulation materials have the potential to reduce energy consumption between 18-34% depending on the type of insulation and ambient temperature (Ipsi, 1998). This project seek to determine the effect of sand particles on the insulation efficiency of content concrete.
1.2 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of this research project is to determine the effect of sand particle size on the thermal insulation efficiency of cement.
The objectives of this research project are to;
- Determine the thermal insulation efficiency of cement concrete
- Determine the effects of sand particle size on the thermal insulation efficiency of cement concrete.
- Compare the result of the analysis with the work of scholars.
- Make recommendations and suggestions for further studies based on the result obtained from the analysis.
1.3 Scope and Limitation of the Study
This research project shall be limited to the effect of sand particle size on the thermal insulation efficiency of cement concrete. The Lee’s disc apparatus shall be adopted for the measurement of thermal insulation efficiency.
1.4 Definition of Terms
Thermal Energy: This is defined as the energy possessed by a body or system due to the transfer of particles within the body or the system.
Thermal Conduction: This is the defined as the transfer of energy (heat) arising from temperature differences between adjacent parts of a body.
Thermal Insulation: This is defined as the reduction of heat transfer (that is, the transfer of heat energy between objects of differing temperature) by depleting the conduction, convection and/or radiative effects.
