Identification of Energy Saving Potential of Different Thermal Insulation through Mathematical Modelling

Abstract

In the present work, a mathematical model is developed to demonstrate energy saving potential of a thermally insulated, air conditioned room and identify the best insulation. Solar radiation and cooling capacity of air conditioner are applied as boundary conditions of the room. The room is discretised using Finite Volume Method and governing equations are solved simultaneously. A code is developed to calculate the mean temperature inside the room and AC working time. Simulations have been carried out for four different conductivities and seven dif-ferent thicknesses of insulations namely Polyurethane Foam, Extruded Polystyrene Foam, Fi-berglass and Rockwool. AC on-off cycle for different insulations and thicknesses, 2-D tempera-ture contour variations and velocity profiles are generated as outcome of the code. The amount of energy saved is calculated on the basis of how long the AC works. A graph is plotted for Cost of electrical energy saved per day vs thickness of insulated wall for different insulation and op-timum thickness of insulated wall is obtained from it.