Thermal Properties of Raw Hemp Fiber as a Loose-Fill Insulation Material

The article presents the possibilities of using hemp fiber as a loose-fill insulation material. The article presents the results of research concerning raw hemp fiber obtained from the Polish crop of industrial hemp of Biaobrzeskie variety. The analysis involved evaluation of thermal conductivity in function of bulk density and air permeability, the properties important for insulation materials. The results of laboratory investigation were used to create the numerical simulation models of heat transfer in the frame wall partitions filled with hemp fibers. The study showed that with the increase of bulk density, the thermal conductivity and air permeability of material decrease. The obtained lambda values are comparable with the characteristic values for conventional thermal insulation materials. The results of heat transfer and temperature distribution reveal that hemp fibers characterize with strongly air permeance, what affects on the need for additional barriers against air filtration.