Thermal Insulation

Introduction

Insulation is a factor that affects the thermal insulation of materials. The experiment will focus on testing how the thermal insulating materials either reduce the flow of heat when n cold and hot regions. For instance, the placement of sheathing around hot water and steam pipes varies depending on their placement. Sheathing has a role in reducing the emission of heat in the environment through the placement of insulating materials around instruments such as refrigerators hence reducing the flow of heat around the refrigerator keeping it cold enough for food products t remain cold over time (Hilado et al., 2018). Thermal insulation has three functions that it must fulfill. One, it has to scale back the thermal conduction that takes place when heat is transferred either through electronic or molecular action. Second, it has to prevent the thermal convection currents which are found in either liquid or air form. Finally, it has to level down the heat transfer that s facilitated by electromagnetic waves which if not controlled could lead to unnecessary overheating.

The three factors are not however considered in vacuums where only radiation transfers heat to the surrounding areas. Moreover, if the surrounding surfaces are highly reflective, the loss of heat is reduced. When building surface walls, foils are used to reduce the sun’s heating effect. Understanding the thermal conductivity of materials is vital as it helps in deciding the right conducting material to use (Hilado et al., 2018). In the current experiment, the thickness of the insulating materials will be tested to conclude which of the materials; Styrofoam’s, wool, materials without insulation, or fiberglass are efficient for toy cars.

Aim

The purpose of this experiment is to study and test the effects of thickness in thermal insulation.

Hypothesis

From the three materials being tested, wool is the best thermal insulation material. This hypothesis is based on my personal experience with wool materials.

Equipment

The equipment that is used defines the toys when not insulated with materials and when insulated with fiberglass, wood, as well as Styrofoam.

Methods

A box that kept heat was built; it was heated by a 50-watt bulb mounted inside it away from burning material. A thermometer was used to measure temperature drop after every 30 seconds. The box was then heated by the lighting bulb for 15 minutes before testing each insulating material. After that, each material was placed one at a time closer to the box and the temperature drop was recorded as shown in the table below. These insulating materials were tested at a different thickness of 1 and 2 inches.

Observations

From what was observed during the process of carrying out the experiment and results each insulating material had different temperature readings with time. The thickness of these materials illustrated how they affect thermal insulation.

Equipment

The equipment used in the experiment includes a Box with no insulation, Fiberglass, Wool, the Styrofoam, as well as the toy car.

Risk assessment

            Risk assessment includes the hazards which demand to know who was harmed as well as how. In ensuring that control measures were put in place, it is possible to understand who was harmed in the process of evaluation as well as when the findings were compiled. Particularly, the findings showed no risk was reported.

Variables table

            The independent variable in this case is temperature while the dependent variable is the heating effect on the insulating material being tested.

Method

            The method used during the experiment include heating the different materials over a period of eight minutes with each minute being recorded.

Results

Table 1: Insulation test results for 1-inch thickness insulating material

Time (minutes)Box with no insulationFiberglassWoolStyrofoam096.7156.6158.0158.3193.4154.2157.8158.0290.6151.4151.5157.7388.8149.3151.3156.8487.9146.4144.3155.7586.3142.3143.6150.0684.7141.4141.8149.3783.6137.7135.5146.8882.7133.7134.7141.2

Table 2: Insulation test results for 2-inch material

Time (minutes)Box with no insulationFiberglassWoolStyrofoam030.676.074.875.3128.972.070.071.2227.567.265.366.4327.062.359.762.0426.357.154.557.0525.951.050.052.4623.546.146.147.0721.739.841.641.2819.034.736.135.8

The following graphs show the drop in temperature with time for insulating materials on different inches.

Graph 1 showing Temperature drop at 1-inch insulation thickness for each insulating material

                 Graph 2: Temperature drop at 2-inch insulation thickness for each insulating material

Discussion

The insulating material used in this experiment to investigate the effects of thickness in thermal insulation depicted the expected results (Hilado et al., 2018). As seen from the tables and graphs above, the more the thickness of the material the lower the drop of temperature. From the results of this experiment, my hypothesis holds.

Conclusion

The experiment was carried out successfully with minimal errors encountered. The expected results from the investigation of thickness as a factor that affects thermal insulation were achieved.

References

Barnhart, JM. “Insulation Practices: Economic Thickness of Thermal Insulation.” Thermal Insulations in the Petrochemical Industry, DOI: 10.1520/stp36546s.

Hilado, Carlos J., and Heather J. Cumming. “Standards for Thermal Insulation.” Journal of Thermal Insulation, vol. 1, no. 2, 2018 ed., pp. 129–148., DOI: 10.1177/109719637700100203.

Hollingsworth, M. “Experimental Determination of the Thickness Effect in Glass Fiber Building Insulation.” Thermal Insulation Performance, DOI: 10.1520/stp29278s.