Hygrothermal Performance of Salt (NaCl) for Internal Surface Applications in the Building Envelope

Salt (NaCl), as a by-product from the potash and desalination industry, can be the solution to the scarcity of building materials and might replace more energy-consuming materials. However, salt carries the risk of deliquescence in humid environments. This study conducted fundamental research on the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Materials 2022-05, Vol.15 (9), p.3266
Main Authors: Pungercar, Vesna, Musso, Florian
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air conditioning
Building construction
Building envelopes
Building materials
Climate
Construction materials
Dehumidification
Desalination
Energy consumption
Energy efficiency
Green buildings
Gypsum
Heat
Heating
Humidity
HVAC
Hygroscopicity
In situ measurement
Indoor air quality
Indoor environments
Influence
Insulation
Moisture effects
Moisture resistance
Potash
Potassium carbonate
Simulation
Stone
Thermal conductivity
Thermal resistance
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Summary:Salt (NaCl), as a by-product from the potash and desalination industry, can be the solution to the scarcity of building materials and might replace more energy-consuming materials. However, salt carries the risk of deliquescence in humid environments. This study conducted fundamental research on the hygrothermal performance of salt for internal surface applications in the building envelope in six different climate conditions. In addition, salt's performance was also compared with that of gypsum in similar applications. The simulation models (using WUFI Pro, WUFI Plus) and in situ measurements were applied to investigate the hygrothermal consequences of the incorporation of salt on the thermal envelope, indoor environment, and energy consumption. Our studies revealed that salt provided the best hygrothermal responses without Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) in very hot-dry and the worst in very hot-humid climates. With an energy-efficient thermal envelope and HVAC, salt can also find an indoor application in temperate, continental, and subpolar climates. In comparison to gypsum, salt has a slightly higher energy demand (heating, cooling, and dehumidification) due to its higher thermal conductivity and moisture resistance. This study fills the knowledge gap on salt's hygrothermal performance and shows the potential in its utilization.
ISSN:1996-1944
1996-1944
DOI:10.3390/ma15093266