Renewable Insulation Project
Principles of Engineering
John Smith
Jane Doe
Executive Summary
The purpose of this project was to design and test recyclable insulation. All homes need insulation to
stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If recycled materials could be used for insulation, it
could save people money and create less waste.
After two rounds of design and testing, our team found that cut up cardboard was a fairly effective and
inexpensive insulation material
Some possible sources for cardboard which could be used in insulation could be grocery and department
stores such as Wal-Mart and Winn-Dixie, and possibly a community cardboard recycling center.
Design Phase (Day 1)
Some possible materials that our team is considering are cardboard and Styrofoam, both of which can
be re-used from other places, such as packaging for different things. Below is a decision matrix which
compares cardboard an Styrofoam on cost, flame resistance, and effectiveness on a scale of 1-5:
Material
Cardboard
Styrofoam
Cost
5
1
Flame Resistance
2
3
Effectiveness
3
3
Total
10
7
Based on our decision matrix, the team decided to use cardboard as an insulation material. It seems to
be much less expensive than Styrofoam. NOTE: You should explain several reasons why you made this
decision.
<Picture Here> NOTE: You could take a photograph, or you can make a drawing using the computer –
Autodesk, MS Word drawing Tools, Paint, or any other method. Also, explain your design in words.
Prototype Testing (Day 2)
The results of the prototype test are shown below:
The LogTag went into the refrigerator at minute 6, when the temperature was 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was removed at minute 27 when the temperature was 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The average
temperature change per minute was : (63.5 – 77.6) / 21 min = -.67 degrees per minute.
The graph seemed to become flatten out as time went on. Maybe this means that as the temperature
difference between the Log Tag and Refrigerator became smaller, less heat flowed.
Redesign Phase (Day 2)
Our insulation material was the second best in the class. Only one other team had a smaller
average temperature loss, at .62 degrees per minute. All other groups had higher temperature
losses. The reason that our insulation was so good may be because the cardboard was cut up
into very small pieces, and we were able to fit more of it in the bag. Also, the bag was packed so
it was “fat” and thus protected the Log Tag from the cold more effectively from all sides.
For the final design, our team is going to use cardboard again, but to cut it into even smaller
pieces. It is believed that packing the bag using even smaller pieces will allow the insulation to
be more dense and to protect from the cold even more effectively.
<Drawing and explanation of final design>
Final Testing (Day 3)
Test results from the final design are shown below:
The LogTag went into the refrigerator at minute 6, when the temperature was 77.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
It was removed at minute 27 when the temperature was 63.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The average
temperature change per minute was : (63.5 – 77.6) / 21 min = -.67 degrees per minute. This is actually
the exact same result which was observed for the prototype.
Final Analysis (Day 3)
Cardboard was a fairly good insulation material, but it turns out that cutting it into smaller pieces and
packing it tighter did not actually affect the insulation effect, as we observed the exact same result as
with the prototype. This time around, we were 3rd place in the class. Two other teams had smaller
temperature losses, with .63 and .59 degrees Fahrenheit per second.
If the team were to further improve the design, an additional layer of paper would be wrapped around
the outside. This would keep out the cold a bit more. Also, we would not bother to cut the cardboard
into smaller pieces since that didn’t make a difference. Finally, we would use some tape to keep the
LogTag in the center of the bag, because it fell off-center a little bit during the final testing.
Some possible sources for cardboard which could be used in insulation could be grocery and department
stores such as Wal-Mart and Winn-Dixie, and possibly a community cardboard recycling center. A
homeowner should buy our insulation if they want to save some money but still want good insulation.
Our insulation was fairly effective but also less expensive than the more effective insulations.
Also answer these questions:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Which do you think had the largest affect in this project: convection, conduction, or radiation?
Explain how to use a decision matrix.
Explain how your house might lose energy through radiation, convection, and conduction.
What modifications could be made to your team’s insulation design that allow for more energy
efficiency?
Which drink would be more beneficial for cooling you on a hot summer day – a cup of ice cold
water or a cup of hot cocoa? Justify your choice.
How do birds insulate their bodies to prevent energy loss on the skin’s surface?
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.
We wear winter coats and cover with blankets to stay warm in the winter. If the coats and
blankets are not a source of energy, how do we stay warm?