Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation
Procedure
Your team will design a renewable composite insulation material.
Design Constraints:
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Composite insulation material must produce minimum heat loss, representing
good insulating value.
Composite insulation material must have overall uniform thickness less than or
equal to one inch.
Composite insulation material must have consistent internal composition.
Individual insulation material(s) must be environmentally friendly.
Individual insulation material(s) must be recyclable.
Individual insulation material(s) must be economical.
Composite insulation material dimensions must not exceed the overall
dimensions of heat box apparatus top.
The change in temperature inside the box is directly related to the heat absorbed
or released by the air in the box.
Design Evaluation Data Collection:
Pretest Data:
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Use a metric measurement device to calculate pretest data.
The volume of air being heated is obtained by measuring the inside
dimensions of the box.
1. Inner dimensions (m)
l = .155 m
w= .155 m
h= .155 m
2. Volume of air (m3)
V = 3.723 mm
3. Description of insulation material
Styrofoam cotton balls aluminum
foil and foil
Test Data:
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Attach a temperature sensor with acquisition capabilities to the center of the
inside surface of the acrylic top cover of the heat transfer apparatus.
Place or attach your fabricated composite insulation material to the outside
top surface of the heat transfer apparatus cover.
POE – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation – Page 1
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Place or attach a second temperature sensor with acquisition capabilities to
the center of the outside surface of your composite insulation material top
panel.
It is essential for accurate test data that both temperature sensors are in
direct contact with the test material.
Determine proper data acquisition procedures recommended by data
acquisition manufacturer.
Activate both temperature sensor devices.
Activate heat source and leave on for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes, turn the heat source off and collect temperature data for an
additional 20 minutes.
After the test period, remove the heat transfer apparatus cover.
Retrieve temperature sensors and data acquisition devices.
Retrieve temperature test data and charts from data acquisition devices.
4. Heat source light bulb wattage
P = 25 W
5. Inside top acrylic panel initial surface
temperature (°C)
T Initial 1 = 25.3 * C
6. Inside top acrylic panel maximum
temperature (°C)
T Max 1 = 44.9
7. Inside top acrylic panel final surface
temperature (°C)
T Final 1 = 39.8 * C
8. Top panel insulation material initial
surface temperature (°C)
T Initial 2 = 24.8 * C
9. Top panel insulation material maximum
surface temperature (°C)
T Max 2 = 25 * C
10. Top panel insulation material final
surface temperature (°C)
T Final 2 = 24.5 * C
11. Heating time (s)
t1 = 1,200 s
12. Cooling time (s)
t2 = 1,200 s
Design Evaluation Calculations:
Constants:
ρ:
1.20 kg/m3
(density of air, Greek letter rho)
Cp:
1000. J/kg°C (specific heat capacity of air)
All calculations are based on the combination of both your composite insulation material and
the acrylic heat transfer apparatus material.
1. Mass of air being heated
POE – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation – Page 2
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Select equation(s).
V*D=M
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V=
List all known and unknown values.
3.723 mm
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D= 1.2 kg/m
Substitute known values into equation(s).
3.723 mm x 1.2 kg/m
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Simplify and solve for mass (m, in kg).
M= 4.4676 kg
2. Energy gained by the air in the box during heating – Q (heat) in J (joules)
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Select equation(s).
Q=m*c*t
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List all known and unknown values.
M = 4.4676 kg
C = 1,000 J/kg*C
T = 20.1 C
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Substitute known values into equation(s).
4.4676 kg * 1,000 J/kg * 20.1C
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Simplify and solve for energy gained – Q (heat).
Q = 89,798.76
3. Energy lost by the air in the box during cooling – Q (cool) in J (joules)
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Select equation(s).
Q=m*c*t
POE – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation – Page 3
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List all known and unknown values.
M = 4.4676 kg
C = 1,000 J/kg*C
T = 5.1 C
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Substitute known values into equation(s).
4.4676 kg * 1,000 J/kg * 5.1
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Simplify and solve for energy lost – Q (cool).
Q = 22,784.76
4. Net energy retained within the box – Q (net) in J (joules)
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Select equation(s).
Q(net) = Q(Heat)- Q(Cool)
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List all known and unknown values.
Q = 18,763.92
T=
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Substitute known values into equation(s).
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Simplify and solve for net energy retained – Q (net).
5. A qualitative measure of your insulating ability is the difference between the
maximum inside temperature and the maximum outside temperature (larger is
better).
Tin(max) =
Tout(max) =
POE – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation – Page 4
ΔT (max) =
6. Compare your results with those of some other teams.
Q (net):
ΔT (max) =
(team 1)
Q (net):
ΔT (max) =
(team 2)
Q (net):
ΔT (max) =
(team 3)
Conclusion
1. Explain how your house might lose energy through radiation, convection, and
conduction.
2. What modifications could be made to your team’s insulation design that allow for
more energy efficiency?
3. Which beverage would be more beneficial for cooling you on a hot summer day –
a cup of ice cold water or a cup of hot cocoa? WHY?
A cup of ice cold water, because of conduction.
4. Suppose that you are sitting close to a campfire. You decide to clean your
glasses and notice that your eyes feel warmer without your glasses. Explain this
phenomenon.
The radiation transfer of heat is no longer being blocked by the glasses and is now
directly in path to your eyes.
POE – Unit 1 – Lesson 1.3 – Project 1.3.4 Renewable Insulation – Page 5