Thermal Insulation of “akassa” Hot Preservation Baskets Using Cow Dung Coatings

Abstract

The use of eco-materials for thermal insulation is becoming more and more recommended compared with synthetic materials. They have the advantage of being biodegradable and sometimes less expensive. To this end, the use of packaging with the function of hot preservatives but made from local and biodegradable materials is a very interesting alternative to synthetic enclosures. This work involved formulating eco-materials made from cow dung coatings and a mixture of cow dung coatings with a framework of fibres extracted from the stalks of oil palm leaves. In addition, to monitor the temperature rise in the various eco-materials manufactured and characterise them using the hot ribbon method to determine their effusivity and thermal conductivity. The pair of materials exposed to heating showed a gradual rise in temperature within the materials when the resistor was energised. A slightly faster rise was observed in the first fifty minutes. The results obtained indicate that the cow dung has a higher effusivity (E = 517.32 J.m<sup>-2</sup>. °C<sup>-1</sup>. s<sup>-1/2</sup>) than its composite (E = 501.20 J.m<sup>-2</sup>. °C<sup>-1</sup>. s<sup>-1/2</sup>). The thermal conductivity values obtained indicate that the cow dung has a higher thermal conductivity (λ'=0.19 W.m^(-1).K^(-1)) than that of the composite structure (λ=0.15 W.m^(-1).K^(-1)). From the above, the presence of the fibre frame has the effect of reducing thermal conductivity because it absorbs more energy. The materials produced therefore have proven insulating properties, which are improved when the framework is made from fibres extracted from the stalks of oil palm leaves. Using oil palm fibres in combination with cow dung as eco-materials for thermal insulation is an excellent alternative to synthetic insulation.