Elisa Moretti

Lighting and Energetic Characteristics of Transparent Insulating Materials: Experimental Data and Calculation

This paper reports the study of thermal and optical properties of innovative transparent insulating materials (TIM) for glazing systems: silica aerogel (pane and granular) and capillary geometric media. Twenty-one samples were assembled with several kinds of glasses in various combinations with TIM. Transmission and reflection coefficients versus wavelength were measured and the results were elaborated in compliance with UNI EN 410/2000. The better performance was given by the monolithic aerogel both for light transmittance (0.58 in interspace between two 4mm float glasses) and thermal insulation (U = 0.63 W • m— 2 • K—1). The solar factor was 0.70. The performance of the innovative glazing systems was compared with data related to windows normally used in Italy and in EU countries, in order to comply with the limits of the local normative standard required for thermal transmittance. The results showed a very promising behaviour of TIMs, in fact a 60% reduction in heat losses with respect to a double glazing with a low-e layer was achieved, with only a 27% reduction in light transmittance. For the granular systems, a U-value little higher than 1 W • m—2 • K—1 with the same total thickness was obtained, even if the light reduction was about 66%.

Silica nanogel for energy-efficient windows

Abstract: This chapter discusses the utilization of silica nanogel to develop high energy-efficient windows and skylights. Silica aerogels are firstly discussed in terms of chemical structure, production process, and physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. The chapter then reviews their current applications in buildings as thermal and acoustic insulation materials. Finally, the potential of the nanogel windows for energy saving in buildings and the main future research trends are discussed.

Aerogel Plasters for Building Energy Efficiency

Nowadays in many countries, the building sector is the largest energy consumer and one of the best ways to reduce energy demand of buildings is the reduction in heat losses through the envelope. In this scenario, insulating materials with aerogels have growing interest and new applications such as insulating aerogel-based renderings are in development. This chapter deals with the analysis of superinsulating applications for building envelope such as aerogel-incorporated concrete- and aerogel-based renders. After an overall analysis of the market trend for these innovative systems, the rendering compositions, the physics, thermal, acoustic, and hygrothermal properties of aerogel-based renders are discussed. In situ applications of the new developed render are analyzed and the potential of the investigated materials is highlighted, by considering experimental measurements in Sect. 2.4. Finally, a comparison with traditional solutions and the future trends are considered.

Nanogel Windows for Energy Building Efficiency

The chapter deals with the potential of highly energy-efficient windows with silica aerogel for energy saving in buildings. Aerogel is a low-density nanostructured porous material with very low thermal conductivity (about 0.018 W/m K for translucent granular aerogel at room temperature) and excellent acoustic insulation. It is ideal for energy saving in buildings, also due to its good optical transparency. The characteristics of the raw material (silica aerogel for windows: monolithic and translucent granular) are illustrated with general information about the production process, the main chemical and physical properties, and a market overview; then, nanogel windows are discussed and thermal, visual, and acoustic performance are highlighted. A useful worldwide market overview about the commercial products and the main manufactures is also included. Finally, a state-of-the-art review of nanogel windows in building applications is discussed: the potential of the investigated solutions is described by both experimental results and simulation models of the aerogel windows performance, referring to different case studies. Future research, market trends, and costs are also discussed.

Design and monitoring of an innovative geothermal system including an underground heat-storage tank

ABSTRACT The design, implementation, and setup of an innovative layout for geothermal heating and cooling systems are presented. An underground heat-storage tank, used as a thermal flywheel, decouples the utility side of the system (i.e., the heat pump) from the geothermal side (i.e., the boreholes). The innovative layout allows for a more efficient exploitation of the ground energy reservoir and a sensible reduction of investment costs. A pilot system has been realized for a commercial building near the city of Perugia, Italy. The design of the heat-storage tank, the heat exchangers, the monitoring system, and the operation modes were carefully studied. The heating performance monitoring shows that the innovative approach allows for a significant reduction of the ground heat exchangers, hence requiring for fewer and/or shorter boreholes (up to 75%) while still supplying the total energy need. The peak-power demand is covered taking advantage of the high thermal capacity of the water inside the tank, while the reduced-size geothermal boreholes are used with a higher duty cycle to independently provide the total energy need.

Assessment of the Performance of Road Markings in Urban Areas: The Outcomes of the CIVITAS RENAISSANCE Project

In the framework of the EU funded CIVITAS plus RENAISSANCE project, a research activity was focused on the definition of a new methodology for evaluating the global quality of the road markings at urban level, both from a technical and an economic point of view, in order to assure road safety. Two innovative indicators were developed: one for the assessment of the technical performance (CIS-Q) and one for the optimization of the budget (CIS-C). In order to rate the global quality of municipal road markings, the performance indicator CIS-Q takes into account all the parameters characterizing the performance of road markings, such as luminance coefficient in day conditions Qd, retroreflectivity in night conditions RL (dry, wet), skid resistance SRT, colour, kind of material and ageing of the pavement markings, traffic volumes, characteristics of road surface and average local weather conditions. The economic indicator CIS-C considers the budget available for the road manager and compares it with the one needed to ensure an adequate level of quality for road markings.