Expanded glass sphere/lauryl alcohol composite in gypsum: Physico-mechanical properties, energy storage performance and environmental impact assessment

Abstract

In recent years, thermal energy storage systems, which are a promising solution to improve the thermal comfort of buildings and reduce energy demand, are a critical issue. This study aims to develop a new shape-stable gypsum composite using expanded glass sphere (EGS) and lauryl alcohol (LA) and analyses its thermal perfor-mances. For this purpose, EGS was impregnated with LA in different mass fractions (25 and 50%) by direct impregnation technique. DSC results exposed that melting temperature and melting enthalpy of shape-stable EGS/LA composite were 20.97 degrees C and 83.1 J/g, respectively. FTIR investigations confirmed the existence of well chemical compatibility between EGS and LA. TGA analysis revealed that the operating temperature of EGS/ LA was considerably lower than its thermal degradation temperature. While incorporation of EGS and EGS/LA composite increases water absorption and porosity; caused a decrease in compressive strength, dry unit weight and ultrasound pulse velocity properties. EGS/Gypsum composite with LA (50%) provided a warmer room temperature for more than 12 h between midnight and solar noon hours. It achieved about 2 & DEG;C warmer room during these hours. After solar noon hours, proposed composite attained about 3.6 & DEG;C cooler room center tem-peratures. It provided cooler indoor temperatures for more than 5 h. A warmer indoor temperature was observed for EGS/Gypsum composite with LA (50%) after 18:00 until midnight to be 2 & DEG;C. It can provide a carbon emission saving of around 3-23.2 kg-CO2/kWh, depending on fuel type for a wall cover made of EGS/Gypsum with LA.