International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology
Analysis of Heat Mitigation Potential of Coir Mat and Perlite Layers vs Green Roof Systems
1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sree Chitra Thirunal College of Engineering, Kerala, India, APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, CET Campus ,Trivandrum, India
2. Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kerala, India
3. Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, TKM College of Engineering, Kerala, India
Abstract
This study explores the heat mitigation potential of coir mats and green facades applied to roofs. Being situated near the equator, buildings are subjected to intense solar radiation due to the sun’s proximity and minimal declination angle. Consequently, roofs transfer a substantial amount of heat into indoor spaces, making effective thermal regulation strategies essential. Roof insulation emerges as a key method for managing indoor temperatures, with sustainable, locally sourced, climate-friendly, and low-cost materials being particularly favorable. In this research, the performance of roof insulation using coir mats and green plants is evaluated, with a focus on their sustainability, affordability, and environmental benefits, alongside their ability to mitigate heat. The study focuses on the analysis of the experimental study which compares the thermal performance of various insulation materials, including coir mats with perlite and green roofs, against an uninsulated reference roof. Measurements of heat flux and surface temperatures during both daytime and nighttime are taken to assess the insulation’s effectiveness. The resulting data is analyzed to identify key factors affecting indoor heat load, with a detailed focus on the heat mitigation potential of the coir mat-perlite combination and green roofing solutions. It is found that perlite and green roof combination is superior to the green roof in lowering the net heat load for the whole day of 24 hours. The green roof which is doing well during the daytime is trapping the heat liberation during the night. The heat liberation of green roof at night is 22.94% and that for coir mat stacked perlite is 38.48%.
Keywords: Heat mitigation, coir mat stacked perlite, green roof, solar hours, non-solar hours
References (13)
- Santamouris M, Kolokotsa D. Passive cooling dissipation techniques for buildings and other structures: the state of the art. Energy Build. 2013;57:74–94.
- La Roche P, Berardi U. Comfort and energy savings with active green roofs. Energy Build. 2014;82:492–504.
- Saadatian O, Sopian K, Lim CH, Asim N, Sulaiman MY. Trombe walls: a review of opportunities and challenges in research and development. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2012;16:6340–51.
- Saman WY. Towards zero energy homes down under. Renew Energy. 2013;49:211–5.
- Brager G, Zhang H, Arens E. Evolving opportunities for providing thermal comfort. Build Res Inform. 2015;1–14.
- Bravo G, Gonzalez E. Thermal comfort in naturally ventilated spaces and under indirect evaporative passive cooling conditions in hot-humid climate. Energy Build. 2013;63:79–86.
- Van Hooff T, Blocken B, Hensen JLM, Timmermans HJP. On the predicted effectiveness of climate adaptation measures for residential buildings. Build Environ. 2014;82:300–16.
- Stevanovic´ S. Optimization of passive solar design strategies: a review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 2013;25:177–96.
- Kruger E, Cruz EG, Givoni B. Effectiveness of indirect evaporative cooling and thermal mass in a hot arid climate. Build Environ. 2010;45:1422–33.
- Tang R, Etzion Y. Cooling performance of roof ponds with gunny bags floating on water surface as compared with a movable insulation. Renew Energy. 2005;30:1373–85.
- Vijaykumar KCK, Srinivasan PSS, Dhandapani S. A performance of hollow clay tile (HCT) laid reinforced cement concrete (RCC) roof for tropical summer climates. Energy Build. 2007;39:886–92.
- Kumar TS, Shafi KA, Thomas RJ, et al. Experimental Analysis on Heat Mitigation Potential of Stacked Coir Fiber Mat and Perlite as an Alternative for Green Roof. J Ind Text. 2022;52:1–19. doi:10.1177/15280837221126190.
- Susorova I, Angulo M, Bahrami P, Stephens B. A model of vegetated exterior facades for evaluation of wall thermal performance. Build Environ. 2013;67:1–13.