Thermal Insulation Design for Cold Room (PFE)

Optimization of insulation materials and thickness for energy‑efficient cold storage.

This capstone project involved analyzing and selecting optimal thermal insulation for a refrigerated cold room (–18 °C to +8 °C). We compared material properties—polyurethane foam, EPS, cork, fiberglass, rock wool—against criteria like thermal conductivity, moisture resistance, cost, and structural compatibility. Detailed heat‑flux calculations determined that 7 cm of polyurethane paneling (sandwich construction with steel skins) met the target U‑value of ≤0.36 W/m²·K. Floor solutions used cork for load‑bearing and thermal performance. Recommendations included sliding door designs and moisture barriers to maximize energy savings and compliance with sanitary standards in food and pharmaceutical storage.