Waste chicken feathers integrated with phase change materials as new inner insulation envelope for buildings

Abstract

Recycling wastes, especially feathers in the construction sector, is considered a free source to reduce environmental pollution. Integration of waste chicken feathers (WCF) in certain ratios with phase change materials (PCM) contributes to enhancing the thermal properties of the PCM as a new insulation material in the construction sector. This paper aimed to elaborate on a new bio-composite material based on PCM with different mass fractions (25 %, 50 %, and 75 %) of WCF within polyvinyl chloride (PVC) panels as building inner envelopes. The tests were conducted under the methodological conditions of Baghdad city using five identical rooms with dimensions of 0.8 m × 0.8 m × 0.8 m. These were built based on the specifications of construction in Iraq. Compared to PVC panels that are filled with PCM only, the results indicated that the integration of WCF at a ratio of 75 % with PCM within PVC panels improved the acoustic insulation by 9 % and reduced the cooling load by 20.3 %, in which 22.5 % of the electricity cost saving for the testing room were achieved. The new insulation material can fulfill thermal comfort requirements, reduce energy consumption, and ensure a sustainable environment through waste recycling.