Vacuum insulation panels (VIPs) with zeolite-fiber composite core

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National Energy Code of Canada for Buildings (NECB), introduced in 2011 and subsequently adopted by BC in 2013, has created new opportunities for the construction industry and its stakeholders. The application and performance of thermal insulation play critically important roles in determining energy efficiency of built environment. The thermal insulating capacity of Vacuum Insulation Panels (VIPs) is 5 to 10 times higher than traditional (i.e. fiberous or foam) thermal insulations. However, the mass application of VIPs in building envelope construction industry is restricted by the cost factor and uncertainty regarding long-term performance. The performance and cost of VIPs are significantly influenced by the constituting core materials. The traditional core materials used for VIPs are fumed silica, precipitated silica and glass fibers. While fumed and precipitated silica based VIPs have superior service life, a required criterion for application of VIPs in building envelope construction, but they are comparatively expensive. On the other hand the effective cost of glass fiber based VIPs is comparable with traditional thermal insulations but service life of glass fiber based VIPs, available at this moment, is shorter. The shorter life span due to rapid aging of glass fiber core based VIPs is attributed to its microporous structure, unlike fumed and precipitated silica which are nano-porous. Hence, the development of alternative core materials that can reduce the cost without compromising effective service life is a priority for the thermal insulation industry, particularly concentrating on building envelope construction. Preliminary research shows that fiber-powder composites, consisting of glass/mineral fiber and Zeolite/Pumice powder, have basic thermal characteristics comparable with nano-porous fumed or precipitated silica but can be produced at a cost comparable with traditional insulation materials. These findings open new opportunities for the development of alternative core materials for VIPs. The proposed research project plans to take this concept further and work on the development of alternative core materials using locally (i.e. BC) available Zeolite powder. The researchers based at UVic will work with the researchers from the ZMM® Canada Mineral Corp., a clean technology company created specifically to provide unique, valuable and innovative natural Zeolite products and solutions, to develop Zeoloite composite core based cost-effective VIPs for building envelope applications.