Product category:
Insulation
News Release from: DuPont Energain | Subject: DuPont Energain Thermal Mass Systems
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 09 March 2007
DuPont Energain Thermal Mass Systems
launch in UK
DuPont Building Innovations announces the launch to the UK market of DuPont Energain Thermal Mass Systems.
DuPont Building Innovations announces the launch to the UK market of DuPont Energain Thermal Mass Systems A revolutionary solution to the challenge of responsible, sustainable construction Pioneering science company DuPont has developed a radical new patented technology that is now available to the construction market for timber, steel and aluminium framed buildings
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 Aug 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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In today's climate - both political and meteorological - the drive towards sustainability and energy saving in all areas of life has never been of greater importance.
Cost-effectiveness and comfort are also key factors in successful building design, for which DuPont Energain offers significant benefits.
Understanding these challenges and responding to the call for meaningful solutions for architecture, design and construction, DuPont Building Innovations has invented a thermal mass panel with valuable energy saving and temperature control properties.
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Furthermore DuPont Energain has been designed as a practical answer not only to reducing the CO2 footprint of a building but also in terms of ease of installation and long-term, stable performance.
Tested in the laboratory at INSA, University of Lyon and currently by the EDF Group (Electricite de France) in a fully equipped test house in France, DuPont Energain is launched initially in the UK, with a planned global roll-out to follow.
What is DuPont Energain?.
A lightweight panel of 5mm thickness, DuPont Energain is composed of a Phase Change Material made from paraffin encapsulated in a DuPont copolymer at a 60% - 40% ratio and laminated on either side in a high quality aluminium sheet.
The panels are supplied in 1.2m x 1.2m dimensions.
The paraffin content is stable and will not leak, however, DuPont Energain is also supplied with a special aluminium tape which is required to seal joins between panels and repair any abrasions.
The aluminium sheet and tape act in a safety capacity as a barrier against fire How does it work?.
DuPont Energain is designed to add thermal mass to structures and to stabilize room temperature.
It works by employing the capability of the phase change material to absorb and release heat.
Simplified, the compound has a melt point of 22degC, at which stage it begins to absorb heat from the room and to store it.
When the interior temperature drops back to 18degC, it re-solidifies and releases warmth back into the room.
DuPont Energain can store about 20 times more energy than concrete, but with a fraction of its mass.
In "low inertia" structures, often open plan and subject to both external solar gains and internal gains from human and electronic activity, energy consuming cooling systems are often the only compensation.
DuPont Energain can not only minimise uncomfortable temperature peaks by up to 7degC, it can save up to 35% of air conditioning costs (and 15% of heating costs - particularly at night time and mid-season).
The resulting reduction in CO2 emissions has wider implications for responsibility in construction and building management.
What are the applications?.
The panels have been designed to be installed behind the plasterboard lining on the interior walls and ceilings of lightweight structures such as timber, steel or aluminium framed buildings.
DuPont Energain is suitable for a wide range of commercial, public and residential buildings.
Designed to be fitted alongside standard materials such as insulation, plasterboard and partition walls, DuPont Energain works together with mechanical ventilation systems and in co-ordination with heating and air conditioning systems.
Currently, while the installation of the thermal mass panels does not replace the need for air conditioning it may allow for a reduction in the size - and definitely in the use - of AC units.
Ultimately, with further development, it may be possible, in some cases, to eliminate the need for air conditioning all together.
How is it specified?.
A DuPont proprietary version of the numerical software programme, CoDyBa (version CDB dDDN V2), has been specially created to help specifiers calculate precisely how much of the material is needed and where.
The software illustrates the thermal behaviour of a specific building with and without DuPont Energain, including energy savings and the CO2 emission reductions.
These simulations will be made available through the DuPont Energain sales and technical teams who will be on hand to advise.
The panels are then delivered on site, ready to install.
How is it installed?.
DuPont Energain is simple and straightforward to fit.
The pre-cut and pre-taped panels of 1.2m x 1.2m x 5mm thickness are lightweight and can be easily cut and then screwed, nailed or stapled in place.
DuPont Energain aluminium tape must be applied to any new cuts or areas where the paraffin and polymer compound is exposed.
The panels are positioned between the insulation and the interior wall-covering, or between inner partition walls.
They can also be installed between the attic finishing and roofing insulation or behind the ceiling finishing.
Summary of benefits.
- Improves comfort by stabilising the effects on room temperature at both ends of the scale - reducing peaks by up to 7degC.
- Significantly decreases both air conditioning and heating costs, and thereby the CO2 footprint of a building.
- Lightweight, flexible, versatile and easy to install.
- Special software enables specifiers to calculate precisely how much material is required for optimum performance, avoiding excess costs and waste.
- Adds significant cost-efficiency and long-term value.
- Allows architects and consulting specifiers to build sustainable, responsible and innovative structures. Request a free brochure from DuPont Energain ...
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