Sepiolite based humidity-control coating specially for alleviate the condensation problem of radiant cooling panel

Abstract

The condensation phenomenon at the radiant cooling panel seriously affects indoor air quality. To alleviate this phenomenon, proposed the method that applies the humidity-control material (HCM) on the radiant cooling panel surface, which can make the novel radiant cooling panel not only regulates the indoor air temperature but also play the role of humidity regulation. HCM can delay condensation time through its hygroscopic properties, which is different from the surface direct condensation of the radiant cooling panel. A kind of HCM specially used to alleviate condensation phenomenon at the radiant cooling panel is prepared for this purpose. Firstly, sepiolite based humidity-control material (SBHCM) with good humidity control ability under the conditioning of high relative humidity environment is prepared with sepiolite as porous matrix and KCl as additive according to the characteristic of the surface air at the radiant cooling panel. Then, it is further made into sepiolite based humidity-control coating (SBHCC) which can be used in practice and contrasted with the commonly used hygroscopic coatings diatomite and gypsum. Finally, the condensation process of the novel radiant cooling panel based on the three humidity control materials is tested. The results show that sepiolite treated with 10% KCl solution has the best moisture absorption/desorption characteristics. SBHCC has greater moisture absorption/desorption capacity and rate than diatomite and gypsum under the high relative humidity environment. The HCM can extend the surface condensation time of the radiant cooling panel, while the SBHCC with the best hygroscopic properties can validly extend the condensation time among the three. This study can provide the material basis for the method of using HCM to alleviate the condensation problem of the radiant cooling panel. • A novel humiduty control materials suitable for radiant terminal was prepared. • Hygroscopic properties of the novel materials and the reference were tested. • The novel material shows better humidity control ability under high relative humidity. • The novel material can effectively prolong the surface condensation time of radiant cooling panel.