Analysis of heat transfer and moisture distribution in wetted fiber glass insulation materials

Heat transfer and moisture distribution in a wet fiber glass insulation were investigated, using a thermal conductivity instrument consisting of heat flow meter with a guarded hot plate. Two distinct regimes of thermal conductivity were identified. Uniformly distributed moisture greatly increased the effective thermal conductivity of the insulation. The time required to approach steady moisture and temperature distributions was extremely long especially at higher moisture concentrations. The agreement between the moisture distribution was acceptable. It is suggested that the moisture distribution model gives the vapor flow induced by the temperature gradient which is the dominant mode of moisture transport in wet insulations.