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A Numerical Study of Effect of Natural Convection on Thermal Properties of Horizontal Oriented Porous Insulation

Department of Building Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, S-412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden

C. E. Hagentoft

Department of Building Physics, Chalmers University of Technology, S-412 96, Gothenburg, Sweden

This paper deals with numerical computations carried out to predict the effect of natural convection on the thermal performance of porous material. The effect of natural convection in a horizontal porous layer on heat transfer will be discussed. The study of this configuration is essential to understanding the performance of insulation of the type commonly used in roofs and attics. The influence of natural convection on the global heat transfer rate for mineral wool, loose-fill and insulation made of small and large polystyrene balls was studied. The results are presented in terms of dimensionless Nusselt and Rayleigh numbers as a function of temperature difference across the insulation. The temperature distribution across the insulation are also plotted.

Key Words: porous medium • permeability • natural convection • numerical simulation • CFD

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