Rice husk panels for building applications: Thermal, acoustic and environmental characterization and comparison with other innovative recycled waste materials. (20th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Buratti, C.; Belloni, E.; Lascaro, E.; Merli, F.; Ricciardi, P.
• Is Part Of: Construction & building materials. Volume 171(2018)
• Page Start: 338
• Page End: 349
• Publication Date: 2018-05-20
• Subjects: Recycled waste materials -- Life cycle assessment -- Acoustic characterization -- Rice husk -- Thermal resistance measurements -- Building insulating systems; Building materials -- Periodicals; 624.18
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.03.089
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-0618

Abstract

Highlights: Rice husk panels for building applications were experimentally analysed. Thermal, acoustic and environmental performance were investigated. A comparison with other waste recycled materials was performed. A new experimental apparatus for thermal measurements was used. Primary embodied energy and greenhouse gas emissions were determined. Abstract: In building applications, recycled waste materials are becoming promising acoustic absorbers and thermal insulating solutions in order to reduce the environmental impact. The aim of the research is to evaluate the thermal, acoustic, and environmental performance of recycled waste panels consisting of rice husk (RH) produced by gluing and pressing the raw material. Its acoustic and thermal performance were compared with the ones of six panels composed by other recycled materials (cork scraps, end-life tires, coffee chaff, waste paper, textile fiber mats, wool fiber scraps), assembled with similar techniques. Thermal resistance of RH is equal to 0.59 m 2 K/W, in the same order of magnitude of many traditional systems. Sound absorption coefficients were measured by means of the impedance tube. All the panels present acoustic absorption comparable with traditional ones (peak values 0.87–0.99). RH peak value is 0.87, while the maximum values are obtained for cork and wool fiber scraps (1 and 0.97 respectively). Life cycle analysis, performed in compliance with ISO 14040 showed the best environmental performance for the production of 1 m 2 of RH and coffee chaff panels. Taking in account their acoustic and thermal behaviour, the wool fiber scraps presents a very good performance.