Effect of initial moisture distribution on the transient heat flow through wet porous insulations

Abstract

The effect of the initial moisture distribution on the transient heat transfer and moisture redistribution processes in fiberglass insulations is studied experimentally and numerically. Moisture evaporation starts from the hot side of the insulation and the drying-front sweeps across the slab. Condensation occurs in the wet side of the slab and also at the cold plate. The heat flux decreases progressively as the drying-front moves through the slab. The numerical model predicts the trends for the heat flux and temperature well. However, the measured transient variations occur at a slower rate than predicted by the model.