Moisture transport in loose fibrous insulations subjected to air filtration

Abstract

Abstract Fibrous insulations are susceptible to air filtration, which affects both heat loss and moisture transport in the materials. Each fibrous material has individual heat and mass transfer characteristics. This is due to the structure of the fibers, their connections, and their density. The authors performed tests of the air permeability of loose mineral wool and wood wool of different densities and moisture content levels. We are presenting a comparison of materials, and their transport characteristics depending on density and moisture content. Convective moisture flow caused by air filtration is different for mineral and wood wool. The difference in the form of accumulation of sorption moisture in the material affects its redistribution due to the flow of air.