Study on Thermal and Optical Properties and Influence Factors of Aerogel Glazing Units

Abstract

Aerogel glazing units (AGUs) is a high-performance building glazing which can effectively reduce energy consumption due to its thermal and optical performance. In this paper, the effect on thermal and optical properties of AGUs with different particle sizes and filling thicknesses were investigated. The results indicated that visible light transmittance and solar direct transmittance of AGUs palpably increased as the particle size increased from 0.41mm to 0.93mm, while it lightly changed as the particle size continued to increase from 0.93mm. The heat transfer coefficient decreased by about 15% when the particle size was reduced from 2.7mm to 0.41mm. In conclusion, the increase of the thickness of aerogel can effectively decrease visible light transmittance, solar direct transmittance and heat transfer coefficient. Finally, color rendering index(CRI)the AGUs with different particle sizes and filling thicknesses were investigated and AGUs show good color performance.