Optimization of performance of heat-reflecting curtain, aiming for reduction of energy consumed in thermal conditioning

• Grant number: 01/13310-0
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: May 01, 2003
• End date: August 31, 2005
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Architecture and Town Planning - Architecture and Urbanism Technology
• Principal Investigator: Antônio Sérgio Assunção Tavares
• Grantee: Antônio Sérgio Assunção Tavares
• Company: Vácuoflex Tecnologias Refletivas Ltda
• City: Campinas

Abstract

The aim of this project is to develop a heat-reflecting curtain capable of providing a considerable reduction in the consumption of energy in the thermal conditioning of the building, or an increase in the thermal comfort of naturally climatized rooms. It is known that the glassed areas of a building, owing to the poor thermal insulation they offer – against heat conduction or solar radiation – are responsible for a large part of the thermal exchanges which occur between the building and the external environment. In warm and sunny climates such as Brazil, in buildings with several floors, the heat that enters via the glassed areas accounts for the most important part of the heating. This being so, the idea to use a curtain with a high degree of thermic insulation seems an obvious solution to improve the thermal comfort of a room and ultimately increase the effectiveness of the conditioning equipment. The use of reflective insulators allows for the creation of light, cheap curtains, that are thin and have a high degree of thermal insulation in conduction and radiation. The quantification of the thermal performance of this reflective curtain will permit the cost/benefit calculation for the product in various situations, making a solid base for its development on an industrial scale possible. Therefore, two test installations will be set up. The first to determine the shading coefficients of the various alternatives for use as reflective barrier under evaluation, and the second for the setting up of prototypes developed for evaluation of the aspects of mounting and reduction in energy consumption in small air conditioning units. (AU)