Measurement of thermophysical properties of polyurethane foam insulation during transient heating

Thermal conductivity and heat capacity of polyurethane foam insulation of 3 74 kg.m(-3) density were measured up to 200 degreesC. Thermal conductivity and heat capacity were determined by transient temperature data taken acros s the foam specimen when one surface was subjected to a uniform heat flux i nput. The transient temperature data were then processed by a parameter est imation computer code to determine the effective thermal conductivity and h eat capacity. Linear thermal conductivity and heat capacity variations with temperature were determined by providing the property values at two differ ent temperatures. Analyses for sequential estimates, residuals, sensitivity coefficients were conducted for all property data obtained to assure accur acy. The results were compared with published data as well as an existing m odel. It was found that the existing model for thermal conductivity of foam materials tends to underpredict the experimental data. (C) 2001 Editions s cientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.