Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
A Comfortable Low Energy Buildings Made Up of GFRG with Radiant Cooling and Desiccant Systems
Categories for this Invention
Category- Civil Infrastructures and Structural Engineering
Industry Classification:
- NIC (2008)- 23992 Manufacture of gypsum boards; 41003- Assembly and erection of prefabricated constructions on the site 16212– Manufacture of particle board and fibreboard including densified wood
- Applications- Sustainable buildings, rapid housing, prefabricated buildings
Market drivers : The global green building materials market size is projected to grow from USD 474.21 billion in 2024 to USD 1,199.52 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 12.3% during the forecast period.
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Problem Statement
- Energy consumption of buildings are increasing due to accelerating demand for mechanical air conditioning systems and high embodied energy of conventional building materials.
- Thermally activated building systems (TABS) are merging as alternatives to conventional mechanical air conditioners to provide indoor comfort. However, conventional TABS have a limited load handling capacity and are fabricated from unsustainable materials.
- There is a need to develop a comfortable and energy efficient building as an alternative air conditioning system using eco-friendly materials.
Technology
- A thermally activated Glass Fiber Reinforced Gypsum (TAGFRG) building is constructed by integrating TABS in a glass fiber reinforced building with a specific configuration in walls, roof and floor to maintain indoor temperature irrespective of outdoor temperature.
- The glass fiber reinforced gypsum panels comprise of a series of air cavity zone (AZ) and reinforcement zone (RZ) connected adjacent to each other to provide specific flow configuration
- Pipes were incorporated into thermally activated glass fiber reinforced gypsum panels for water circulation with a spacing of 55 mm
- A desiccant system is incorporated into the system for controlling the humidity of room air.
- A Prototype GFRG house was built in the premises of IIT Madras and studied for hot and humid climate of Chennai city.
Key Features / Value Proposition
- TAGFRG has specific advantages over the existing systems such as reduction in peak energy demand, utilization of industrial waste (gypsum & fly ash) and reduced usage of natural resources (sand and water)
- The greatest advantage of the system is its ability to operate at relatively higher water temperature, which permits use of passive cooling systems such as earth tunnel cooling, geothermal cooling, cooling tower, nocturnal cooling etc. for its chilled water needs.
- The capital cost is lower compared to the conventional AC system as the additional cost for piping, motor and other accessories is negligible compared to that of savings provided by reducing the cost of ducting, air handling units and building construction (due to effective utilization of space).
Questions about this Technology?
Contact For Licensing
sm-marketing@imail.iitm.ac.in
ipoffice2@iitm.ac.in
Research Lab
Prof. Prakash Maiya M
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 1664
- IN 507660- Patent Granted
Technology Readiness Level
TRL 7
System prototype demonstrated in operational environment