Analysis of Insulation Panels Made from Agro-Industrial Waste for Reducing Heat Transfer in Colombian Coastal Cities: Case Study of the City of Barranquilla

Abstract

ABSTRACT It is known that insulation panels made from natural fibers have great potential as raw materials for manufacturing various thermal insulators. Their insulating properties are due, among other things, to their porous structure and low density. This article investigated the potential reduction in heat transfer through the walls of buildings in the city of Barranquilla using insulation panels made from agro-industrial waste. Four scenarios were considered, one without thermal insulation and three using insulation panels manufactured in other studies, including a eucalyptus bark panel, a cardboard and alpha fiber waste panel, and a panel made from jute and polypropylene. The study was conducted considering the minimum and maximum temperatures in Barranquilla during the year 2022. When analyzing heat transfer using the maximum daily ambient temperature as a reference, the decrease in heat transfer per square meter ranged from 8.38–23.78 J/s, with the eucalyptus bark and jute panels performing the best, and when considering the minimum temperature conditions, the heat transfer per square meter was reduced between 2.93–10.46 J/s. It was demonstrated that the three panels used have great potential to reduce heat transfer through the walls.