Disclaimer: I have not been paid or given any incentive by the companies mentioned below, to write this piece. It is not meant to promote or advertise their products.
Instead, my purpose here is simply to provide information and education about an emerging technology I consider to be a major game changer.
Please apply due diligence in taking any action based on what you read here. You take full responsibility for your actions.
What if you could introduce an idea that could drastically reduce your company’s use of electricity powered air conditioning? That would mean lower energy use, reduced damage to the environment, and more money in your company’s coffers (from a much lower electricity bill).
Well your opportunity to reap the above rewards may just be here:
This article describes “heat absorbing” drywalls available in the market, that are being used for regulating temperatures in residential and commercial buildings.
The Technology Now Exists – and You Can Have It!
National Gypsum, a company based in North Carolina, in the USA, produces what it calls “ThermalCORE panels with Micronal PCM” (see http://thermalcore.info/product-info.htm), which help to stabilize in-house temperatures regardless of outdoor fluctuations.
The panels are similar to normal drywall sheets (used for new buildings) – except that the former bear capsules which alternately absorb and expel heat to/from the environments they are placed in via what is called a “passive cooling system”.
Historical reports indicate that efforts have been on since the fifties to develop passive cooling systems that make use of phase-change materials (like those in the ThermalCORE panels’ capsules).
The capsules used by National Gypsum were developed by BASF, a major manufacturer of chemicals. BASF found a way to use “phase change” material comprising paraffin wax that melts at room temperature (by absorbing heat from the room) – making it useful for maintaining a constant temperature all day.
The capsules are reportedly enjoying increasing application in various markets – including the construction industry.
How It Works
The principle on which the heat absorbing and distributing capsules work, is similar to how ice cubes cool a drink (i.e. they absorb heat from the drink, which makes them melt, as the drink gets cooled)
National Gypsum reportedly conducted performance tests across all four seasons over one year. This was to derive an optimal formula for loading the panels with the right number of capsules to suit different weather conditions.
Field tests were done in collaboration with California’s Emerging Technologies Coordinating Council, and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Based on results obtained, the ThermalCORE panels were found to:
1. Liquefy at 73 ºF (or 22.8 ºC).
2. Store about 22 BTU (British thermal units) per square foot.
Estimates – based on evaluation of standard homes – suggest that an investment in this technology could pay for itself via electricity savings within 5 years.
Potential for Wider Energy Saving Application Is Bright
The potential for exploiting this technology for greater energy saving benefits is great.
1. For instance, there’s talk of using the phase change materials to lower temperatures in commercial buildings during the day, thereby avoiding costly use of air conditioning during peak consumption periods.
And then during the night, when electricity is cheaper, the air conditioning can be turned on, resulting in an overall net savings in energy usage.
2. Apart from their use by National Gypsum in producing “heat absorbing” drywalls, other companies buy the capsules from BASF, for production of building materials like aerated concrete blocks and ceiling panels.
3. Another large chemical manufacturer – DuPont (http://energain.co.uk/Energain/en_GB/index.html) – also makes phase changing materials similar to those produced by BASF.
However, rather than sell to companies in the building industry like BASF does, DuPont incorporates them into its own range of “room cooling” drywalls that it markets across Europe.
Final Words
If you’re a CEO or decision maker in your organisation, the multiple potential benefits of this technology could be well worth looking into.
Even if you’re the most junior employee, it would be a smart move to bring news of these heat absorbing drywalls to relevant decision makers in your company.
They will welcome such valuable suggestions that can help cut costs, and also make the business contribute more tangibly to protecting the enviroment.
What’s more, you will most likely be recognised for bringing up the idea.
One thing is certain: As efforts continue to improve it, this environmentally friendly technology is bound to change the way we run our businesses – and live our lives – for the better.
I was able to read the whole content, all I can say is this is great! Great post with great ideas with great ideas with a great concept and with such a great writer. A written perfectly and was very much easy to understand.
Wow Jacob! Was that me you described in there? Thank you for such a glowing appreciation of my work :-)))