Energetic and exergetic analysis of optimum insulation thickness for cold storages

Abstract

In this study, the optimum insulation thickness of cold storage walls was calculated energetically and exergetically for five selected insulation materials, whose payback periods were calculated and compared. The effect of each material's unit volume price on the optimum insulation thickness and payback period was also examined. The values of the optimum insulation thickness for polyurethane, extruded polystyrene, rock wool, glass wool, and expanded polystyrene are 2.35-8.43 cm, 5.01-16 cm, 5.81-18.76 cm, 8.10-24.40 cm, and 9.28-28.08 cm, respectively, based on energetic analysis, and 0.08-7.73 cm, 0.91-14.74 cm, 0.97-17.26 cm, 2.01-22.52 cm, and 2.26-25.91 cm, respectively, based on exergetic analysis.