Improvement of the thermal efficiency of autoclaved aerated concrete by black powder

Abstract

This study is concentrated on improving the thermal efficiency of autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) by incorporation of black powder as an additional component. Black powder is a waste product of the automotive refinishing industry in Thailand. The dynamics of heat transfer and the cooling load of air conditionings in four simulated houses with different wall materials (brick, cement block, AAC, and black powder AAC) were investigated. The results from the comparison of heat fluxes of the interior surfaces demonstrated that incorporated black powder significantly increased the thermal effectiveness of construction materials, as observed from the black powder AAC. In addition, it was demonstrated that the cooling load and the power consumption of air conditioning in the house with black powder AAC walls was reduced, and the power consumption was saved approximately 25.5%, 37.9%, and 48.1% compared with the commercial AAC, the brick, and the cement block houses, respectively. The black powder AAC provided the highest power consumption reduction.