Title: Apparent Thermal Conductivity Data and Related Information for Rice Hulls and Crushed Pecan Shells

Abstract

Rice hulls and crushed pecan shells are two solid waste materials with potential for use as thermal insulation. The apparent thermal conductivity, ka, of parboiled rice hulls and crushed pecan shells has been measured in two laboratories over the temperature range 4 to 41 oC using heat-flow meter apparatuses. Thermal data were obtained for dried material and as-received material in order to provide information about the variation of ka with water content. In the case of rice hulls, results have been obtained for properties such as resistance to smoldering combustion, critical radiant flux, flame spread index, smoke development index, water sorption, corrosion, odor emission and resistance to fungal growth in order to determine the suitability of this material for use as a building insulation. The measured ka of rice hulls and crushed pecan shells are compared with data for other solid waste materials such as coconut fiber, sugarcane fiber, and cellulose insulation made from newsprint.