Green buildings model: Impact of rigid polyurethane foam on indoor environment and sustainable development in energy sector

Amnah Mohammed Alsuhaibani; Moamen S Refat; Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani; Farhad Jamil; Zoobia Abbas; Anum Zehra; Khaqan Baluch; Jung-Gyu Kim; Muhammad Mubeen

doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14451

Green buildings model: Impact of rigid polyurethane foam on indoor environment and sustainable development in energy sector

Heliyon. 2023 Mar 9;9(3):e14451. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14451. eCollection 2023 Mar.

Authors

Amnah Mohammed Alsuhaibani¹, Moamen S Refat², Saeed Ahmad Qaisrani³, Farhad Jamil⁴, Zoobia Abbas⁵, Anum Zehra⁶, Khaqan Baluch⁷, Jung-Gyu Kim⁸, Muhammad Mubeen³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Physical Sport Science, College of Education, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, P.O. Box 84428, Riyadh 11671, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia.
³ Department of Environmental Sciences, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Vehari, Punjab, Pakistan-61100.
⁴ Civil Engineering, COMSATS University Islamabad, Sahiwal Campus, Pakistan.
⁵ Humanities Department, COMSATS University Islamabad, Vehari Campus, Pakistan.
⁶ Department of Mathematics, The Women University Multan, Pakistan.
⁷ Department of Civil Engineering, Seoul National University of Science and Technology, 232 Gongneung-ro, Nowon-gu, Seoul, 01811, Republic of Korea.
⁸ Industrial Technology Research Institute, Department of Energy and Resources Engineering, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-Gu, Gwangju, South Korea.

Abstract

The construction and building industry in the modern world heavily relies on advanced techniques and materials such as polymers. However, with the world's population alarmingly increasing, contributing to the greenhouse effect, and severe weather conditions amplifying, it has become crucial to reduce the heat effects in both new and old buildings. To achieve this, 50-70% more energy is necessary, which highlights the importance of energy-efficient construction practices and materials. Consequently, a comprehensive study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of Polyurethane in indoor environments and energy conservation. Current study was performed due to an innovative application of insulation materials as to reduce the heat and energy costs in construction works. Thermal conductivity at mean temperature 35 °C was found 0.0272 (W/m K) with maximum in burnt clay brick (1.43 W/m K) by using hotplate apparatus. Specific heat was also found less 0.85 (KJ/Kg K) at density 32 kg/m³ while results were at par in reinforcement cement concrete and burnt clay brick 0.91, 0.91 (KJ/Kg K) respectively. Similarly, heat transmittance values of different roof sections by using polyurethane insulation showing satisfaction the ECBC in Buildings deviating standard U-value 1.20% to 0.418 (W/m² K) with its excellent performance. Polyurethane treatments have been found to exert a significant impact on the computation of thermal resistance and overall heat transfer coefficients. In contrast, non-insulated treatments yielded inconclusive results with little to no significance. This highlights the importance of insulation materials in energy-efficient construction practices. Energy consumption in winter and summer also has shown the significant impact by using polyurethane application with cumulative saving of 60-62% electricity. Economic Benefit of polyurethane in RCC and Conventional buildings describes positive and highly significant impact in present study. Application of polyurethane in new and old buildings ultimate enhanced the better quality of life and living standards from people of applied countries and is strongly recommended for future prospects and endeavors as Eco-friendly and energy efficient for sustainable development.

Keywords: Energy; Isocyanate; Polymers; Polyol; Polyurethane; Sustainable environment.