Available online at www.sciencedirect.

com

ScienceDirect
Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215

International Scientific Conference “Environmental and Climate Technologies – CONECT 2014”

The use of coniferous greenery for heat insulation material

production
Indra Muizniece*, Dagnija Blumberga, Ance Ansone
Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Azenes iela 12/1, Riga, LV 1048, Latvia

Abstract

The aim of the research is to create the ecological heat insulation material out of coniferous tree greenery (needles and thin
branches). Following the three factor experiment plan, samples were made and tested in a laboratory for their thermal
conductivity and density. The findings show that the elaborated needle heat insulation material is equal to existing insulation
materials from wood and it is worth to continue this research for further product development and manufacturing.

©
© 2015
2015TheTheAuthors.
Authors.Published by by
Published Elsevier Ltd.Ltd.
Elsevier This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment.
Peer-review under responsibility of Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment
Keywords: coniferous; coniferous greenery; heat insulation; forest resources; needles; wood waste

1. Introduction

More and more society pays attention to the „green” lifestyle, including how everyday use products influence the
environment and their own health. This also applies to building materials, especially heat insulation materials,
because of the price increase for heat energy, energy-efficient house building and renovation of existing houses.
Taking into account the influence of construction materials on the environment and human health, it is necessary to
increase the use of natural materials in construction works. Environmentally-friendly heat insulation materials,
which are made of organic raw materials, fulfill all these requirements.
Nowadays heat insulation materials, which are produced from natural fibers and are a renewable energy source,
become more and more popular. Such organic fibers as hemp [1], wool, coconut fiber [2], flax [3], cotton [4, 5] and

* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: [email protected]

1876-6102 © 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2015.06.030
210 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215

cellulose are well-known and studied as heat insulation materials. These fibers are investigated as part of composite
materials [6, 7, 8] or together with some cohesive substances (well-known cohesive substances are different types of
cement) or different combinations of organic fibers such as hemp fiber mixed with flax fiber [9].
The increased popularity of using and researching these types of heat insulation materials can be explained due to
the material’ low mass density and the structure of its cells, which is why the material has very good sound and heat
insulation properties. Often there is an advantage to use these instead of synthetic fibers. Another benefit of these
materials is that they are made from renewable resources, which do not make a remarkable influence on the
environment. Comparing mineral wool and natural fiber heat insulation properties, it is admitted that natural fibers
have quite similar and sometimes even superior physical properties (for example, heat conductivity coefficient).
Despite all these positive points, synthetic insulation materials still dominate in the construction and building
material industry. This fact can be explained by the negative properties of natural material fibers. First of all, natural
fibers have good moisture absorption ability due to the open pore structure of insulation materials, and due to the
fiber’s natural structure. In addition, the moisture absorption ability of heat insulation material has a negative
influence on the heat conductivity coefficient. By reducing humidity absorption, physical and mechanical properties
of heat insulation material improve [10, 11].
Another negative property, which affects heat insulation materials of organic origin, is the susceptibility of such
materials to biological elements (such as fungus and vermin). The fundamental disadvantage, however, is its
inflammability. Materials made of untreated natural fibers usually qualify for “class F” fire safety, which is
inadequate for heat insulation material fire safety standards. However, it is possible to influence all negative
properties of natural material fiber with chemical admixtures [10].
The possibilities of using organic materials as a heat insulation material are often studied, but there is no
information about the use of conifer (pine and spruce) needles for heat insulation material production, despite the
fact that needles are a renewable material which is harmless to the environment, as evidenced by the chemical
composition of needles [12]. Thus this research considers the possibility of producing heat insulation material from
resinous logging remnant (pine and fir-tree needles with their thin branches), which are not fully used. Until now,
heat insulation materials from wood logging and woodworking remnant parts have been produced industrially, but
the needles have been used. The aim of this research is to create an innovative and environmental-friendly heat
insulation material from the coniferous greenery (needles and thin branches) based on a specific recipe, and to
evaluate the heat conductivity coefficient of this material and the factors that influence it.
The considered idea – to produce heat insulation material from logging remnants – is promising, because in the
Baltic States (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) wood is the most common renewable energy source, which is also
popular in building material production. Usually the bole part is the one, that is being used, and everything else is
considered as an inferior or worthless material, which is not usable. The bole part, which is considered to be the most
valuable for further use, constitutes only 55 % of the whole tree. The rest of the tree – stumps (20 %) and crown (25
%) are an inferior logging remnant. The main way to make use of the coniferous tree logging remnant is to produce
needle essence and woodchips from logging remnants [13]. In most cases, the coniferous tree remnant is not being
used at all and is left in the forest clearing to produce nourishing elements. As a result of logging, tons of resources
every year are left in clearings and are not used efficiently. Although the mentioned activity has no harm on the
environment, the efficient use of the logging resources could give such advantages as the economic growth and
environmental and social benefits, which could be provided with well-thought-out forest management and efficient
use of resources.

2. Materials and methods

An experimental plan was developed for making a new heat insulation material, which includes the experimental
process structuring and considering the main factors that influence this material.
The aim of this research is to find out what are the lowest numerical values for the heat conductivity coefficient
of needle heat insulation material, which may be effective as a heat insulation material. The main research parameter
for this experiment is the material’s heat conductivity coefficient, because this is the main physical property
 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215 211

characterizer for heat insulation material. Conductivity coefficient can be influenced by various parameters. Porosity
is one of the main parameters that affect a heat insulation material’s ability to conduct heat. The main factors that
have an influence on how porous heat insulation materials become in the manufacturing process are: strength of
pressing, heating temperature of raw material and drying temperature of pressed material. Thus, in order to regulate
the main efficiency parameter of heat insulation materials – porosity, the variation of the previously mentioned
factors of the manufacturing process should be considered. A set of independent variables, which consists of 3
factors, was chosen.
For the coniferous heat insulation material experiment with three factors, each of which has two levels
(maximum and minimal values), it is necessary to make 8 samples to establish the chosen factor influence on the
heat conductivity coefficient.
It is necessary to define values (levels), so in practice it is possible to vary the chosen factors for purposes of the
experiment. In the coniferous heat insulation material experimentation, the maximal and minimal assumed values of
the factors are: raw material temperature min 20 °C, max 75 °C, loading (pressing) strength min 98 N, max 637 N,
drying temperature min 20 °C, max 105°C.
The temperature of the raw material (milled coniferous tree greenery) mass was chosen in the amplitude between
the room temperature (~20 °C) and 75°C. The minimal raw material temperature heat insulation samples was made
without heating. 75 °C temperature was chosen as a maximum for the reason that it is possible to achieve this
temperature by heating the milled needle mass in a closed vessel, so it will not dry out at least for 2 hours in a105
degree hot stove. By heating milled needle mass at a higher temperature, it is possible that a gross amount of resin
may vaporize. Resin works as a cohesive and an extract substance, including phytoncides, which work as a great
repellent against rodents and insects. The material heating time prolongation is not planned, because, in the
prefabrication process, the long heating at high temperatures uses a lot of energy resources and creates extra costs,
which are not economically advantageous. When this parameter is included as one of the factors for the experiment,
it is possible to check whether the temperature of the raw material has an influence on its adhesion due to the fact
that a larger amount of resin is released at a high temperature. The temperature of a raw material can also be
influenced by the porosity and the heat conductivity coefficient of the material. In a closed environment, the heated
milled needle material gives out moisture which fills up gaps in the material that are filled with air. The material is
dried and moisture vaporizes after it is pressed which is how pores are created. The number and size of pores in the
material also depend on the pressing strength and drying temperature which is why these two factors are taken in
consideration, when the experiment is planned.
The coniferous heat insulation material samples should be made as plates, which means that the milled needle
greenery is pressed in a special form under a weight. The pressing strength is relevant, because that affects the
porosity of the material. The minimal weight for pressing in the experiment is a 10 kg weight, which creates 98 N
forces, and a maximum weight – 65 kg, which creates 637 N. The maximum strength boundary of the force is
defined as 637 N. The optimal porosity value creates minimal heat conductivity coefficient for the material, which
makes it efficient as a heat insulation material.
After pressing, it is necessary to dry the material until it becomes as dry as possible, so humidity would not
increase the heat conductivity coefficient. Drying temperature boundaries are from 20 to 105 °C. The minimal
boundary is room temperature, which needs to be heated, so samples are not dried in the dryer, but dry on their own,
left in a room where air temperature is approximately 20 °C. Although the process is sustained in time, it has no
energy needs. The maximal drying temperature for the sample is 105 degrees, because if the temperature is higher,
the water in the needle mass does not vaporize and the mass itself does not dry out; instead it smolders and burns.
With this parameter as one of the experiment factors, it is possible to find out if the results are worth the time spent
on it. Also it is possible to find out, if the fast drying of the material (at maximum temperature) influences its
porosity, and with that its heat conductivity coefficient and material’s ability to stick, and in which way.
Values of factors are varied in the experiment in different combinations, so it is possible to try out all the
combinations at the defined number of factors. It is necessary to make 8 experiments in order to consider all possible
combinations, if there are three arguments. In this case, there are 8 needle heat insulation material samples, where
each is made, using a combination of different factor values (minimal or maximal). After each sample is made, it is
212 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215

measured to find the main parameter that shows the efficiency of the heat insulation material – the heat conductivity
coefficient. After that, it is possible to define, which factor’ s values are the most appropriate for reaching the best
result and for clarifying, if the chosen factor’ s influence prove the exit parameter of the system and how it occurs.
Each factor has its maximal and minimal numeric values stated. For the experiment to become more
demonstrative, in Table 1 the experiment plan for slab-type heat insulation material is shown, where the actual
experiment combinations and number of tries are charted. Stages of the slab-type needle heat insulation material
making are: milling, heating, pressing and drying the raw material.

Table 1. Plan of the experiment

Number of experiment
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Factors
Temperature of raw material, °C 20 75 20 20 20 75 75 75
Loading strength, N 98 637 98 637 637 637 98 98
Drying temperature, °C 20 105 105 105 20 20 20 105

For the preparation of each sample 2 kg of milled pine and fir-tree greenery (needles and thin branches with
diameter smaller than 5 cm) were used. The ratio of the mixture is 1:1 (1 kg of firm-tree and 1 kg of pine greenery).
This proportion was chosen and used for the preparation of all samples to prevent some coniferous tree influence on
the results.
Following the experiment plan, half of the samples should be dried at the maximal 105 degree temperature. It
was done in an exsiccator for about 24 hours for each sample. The milled coniferous mass, which needs to be
heated, was put into several foil containers and covered tightly to their upper parts, so the mass would not dry out
and its moisture, including extract substance and resin, would stay in the container. Despite the fact, that heating was
for at least 2 hours at 105 °C, the mass itself (measuring in the center of the mass) reached a heat of up to 75 °C.
With that, the maximal temperature of the raw material in the experiment plan was chosen to be 75 degrees. While
the heated mass is poured and leveled in a mold, it cools down by about 10 more degrees. Forming and pressing was
provided in a specially made mold (30 cm × 30 cm) to achieve the equal size of all samples. Each sample had a
different thickness (4í5 cm), because of different loading strengths, which had an influence on the materials’
density, were used.
Heat conductivity coefficient is the main parameter for defining the efficiency of the invention, as a heat
insulation materials. Tests on the heat conductivity coefficient of the samples were made at the Riga Technical
University, Faculty of Building and Civil Engineering, Department of Materials and Structures with the LaserComp
device, model FOX600. The amplitude of the device temperature varies from í15 °C (5 °F) to 80 °C (176 °F) and
accuracy is 0.01 °C. When measuring the coniferous heat insulation material heat conductivity coefficient, the
minimal temperature was 0°C and the maximum – 10 °C. Measurements were made with 1 % precision.

3. Results and discussion

The whole experiment measurement results were analyzed for regression and correlation. The influence of factors
on the heat conductivity coefficient of the heat insulation material and its density were analyzed. “Statgraphics”
software and mathematical modeling were used for analysis.
Data output that was used: maximal and minimal values of factors (temperature of raw material, °C; loading
ௐ
strength, N; drying temperature, °C), definite heat conductivity coefficient, , density of the heat insulation
௠ή௄
௞௚
material, య.
௠
The coniferous tree greenery heat insulation material samples were prepared after the elaborated experiment plan,
varying with three factors – temperature of raw material, loading (pressing) strength and drying temperature. Eight
 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215 213

samples were made and tested altogether. Each sample factors’ values and results – heat conductivity coefficient
and density are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2. Data output of the samples and results

Label of Thickness of Heat conductivity Density, Temperature of Loading (pressing) Drying temperature,
ௐ ௞௚
samples samples, mm coefficient, material, °C strength, N °C
௠ή௄ ௠య

1.1 45.90 0.0654 224 20 98 20

1.2 44.09 0.0590 255 75 637 105
1.3 49.10 0.0562 196 20 98 105
1.4 45.69 0.0589 257 20 637 105
1.5 41.70 0.0615 266 20 637 20
1.6 38.00 0.0651 302 75 637 20
1.7 44.35 0.0595 219 75 98 20
1.8 43.58 0.0589 217 75 98 105

ௐ ௐ
The acquired heat conductivity coefficient vary from 0.0562 to 0.0654 . The average value is 0.0606 . The
௠ή௄ ௠ή௄
ௐ
difference between the acquired largest and the smallest values is 0.0092 . Although the difference between the
௠ή௄
results is small, it is necessary to find out whether and what kind of influence the three chosen factors have on the
heat conductivity coefficient and density properties of the material. That is why, using “Statgraphics” software, the
regression analysis was made for the factors’ influence on heat conductivity coefficient and density.
The influence of the factorson the material’s density was evaluated, because the material density is one of the
main factors that influence the heat conductivity coefficient. This is shown in the heat conductivity coefficient and
density regression analysis. Although the correlation coefficient is only 0.555839, this shows that the correlation
between arguments is intermediately strong and the regularity is – the smaller density is, the smaller is heat
conductivity coefficient.
The results of the experiment prove that the temperature of the raw material does not leave any influence on its
porosity and heat conductivity coefficient. There is no regularity between these values and correlation (correlation
coefficient 0.0206903, which means that regularity is insignificant). Therefore there is no need for raw material
(milled coniferous tree greenery mass) heating before pressing it. Shutting out the heating stage from the needle heat
insulation material making process means that less energy resources would be required and the cost of production
would be much lower. The experiment also proved that the raw material temperature has no influence on resin
releasing and it does not promote its adhesiveness.
The second research factor was loading (pressing) strength, where the minimal value in the experiment was 98 N
(10 kg on 0.09 m2), but maximal – 637 N (65 kg on 0.09 m2). The loading strength has a weak influence on heat
conductivity coefficient of the material. Weak correlation between arguments is shown by the correlation
coefficient, which in this case is 0.186213.
In comparison with the preliminary case, the loading strength has a much intense influence on the density. A
larger quantity of air bubbles, which take up space, are pressed out by pressing the material stronger, so it becomes
denser. This is proven by the correlation coefficient, which is 0.876499 in case of these variables, and shows a
strong correlation.
Although the correlation between the material heat conductivity coefficient and loading strength is weak, it is
observed that the material becomes denser, and its heat conductivity coefficient increases when an increase in the
loading strength occurs. It is possible, that gross loading strength influence on the heat conductivity is not
observable, because the chosen maximal loading strength value is too low, and the difference between the maximal
and minimal values is small. By increasing the loading strength, the density and the heat conductivity coefficient
will increase.
214 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215

The third factor that had to be studied in the experiment was the drying temperature of the pressed material. The
essence was to find out whether drying in a high temperature leaves a positive influence on the material’s ability to
hold heat. Maximal drying temperature is 105 °C, but minimal is heated room temperature ~20 °C high. At high
drying temperature, the heat conductivity coefficient is lower than at low drying temperature. The regression
analysis proves that, between these two parameters, a strong correlation does exist, because the correlation
coefficient is í0.765542.
The results show that density is slightly influenced by the material drying temperature. As the drying temperature
is higher, the density of the material is smaller. The correlation between these values is weak, and the correlation
coefficient is only í0.336513.
The results from the regression analysis show that a significant influence on coniferous heat insulation material
density has the loading (pressing) strength only, but on the heat conductivity coefficient – drying temperature only.
The experiment results were influenced by humidity in the material. Although the material samples were dried; they
absorbed water steams and their moisture level became higher. This was observed when the samples were weighed.
The mass of the samples changed as the material kept drying and absorbing water streams it became higher or lower
depending on air humidity. Humidity has a negative influence on the material’s heat holding ability (the heat
conductivity coefficient becomes higher). In this experiment, humidity is one of the factors that might have
influenced the results. To define the specific moisture influence on coniferous heat insulation material, it is
necessary to make further research.
Findings prove that drying temperature has an influence on heat conductivity coefficient – the higher drying
temperature is, the lower is heat conductivity coefficient. The maximal temperature in the experiment was 105 °C,
where the lowest heat conductivity coefficient showings were achieved. Theoretically, when the drying temperature
goes up, heat conductivity coefficient should decrease even more. It is possible to model the heat conductivity
coefficient value at a specific drying temperature using the previously ciphered equation. As a result, in practice the
drying temperature cannot be increased, because the organic material, being dried in high temperatures may
smoulder or even burn. Therefore, the coniferous heat insulation material optimal drying temperature (105 °C) is
discovered.
Analyzing the experiment’s findings, a conclusion that not all the factors have a significant influence on the
invented heat insulation material’s heat conductivity coefficient. That is why, stages of making this heat insulation
material should be evaluated and insignificant stages, which have no value for the necessary physical and
mechanical properties providing, should be eliminated.
The only practically variable factor, which significantly influences density of the material, and with that – heat
conductivity coefficient, is the logging (pressing) strength of the material. The smaller the loggingstrength, the lower
the density of the material. In the experiment the minimal loading value was 98 N (10 kg to 0.09 m2). It should be
taken into consideration, that the adhesiveness of particles and durability of the material also reducewith the loading
strength decrease, and that has an effect on transference and practical use opportunities. Therefore, properties of the
miscellaneous manufactured coniferous heat insulation material should be tested, considering that, with a decrease
in the material density, the heat conductivity coefficient value also lowers. Factors and properties (physical and
mechanical) that influence the poured coniferous heat insulation material heat conductivity coefficient should be
checked.
To improve properties of this heat insulation material and to check other factor influence, especially humidity,
additional research should be conducted.

4. Conclusions

Needles are a good raw material for different national economy product manufacturing. It is possible to make
needle extract essences for the production of cosmetics or medical products. One of the possibilities is to use needles
for heat insulation material production. Needles are an innovative and environmentally-friendly product.
 Indra Muizniece et al. / Energy Procedia 72 (2015) 209 – 215 215

The heat insulation milled pine and fir-tree needle mass material has a low average heat conductivity coefficient
ௐ
(about Ȝ = 0.061 ), which proves that it may be used as a heat insulation material and is competitive with the
௠ή௄
ௐ
existing forest resource heat insulation materials (for example, fibrolite theoretical Ȝ = 0.068 ).
௠ή௄
The biggest influence on the coniferous heat insulation material’s heat conductivity coefficient is the drying
temperature. A temperature of the raw material has no influence on the heat conductivity coefficient, but the logging
(pressing) strength influences it only slightly.
The humidity content varies between samples depending on their preparation properties, because vapour diffuses
into the material from the air or otherwise. The humidity content in the material increases until partial pressure is
released. Therefore the material drying without following heat conductivity coefficient determination has an
influence on the results.

Acknowledgements

The work has been supported by the National Research Program “Energy efficient and low-carbon solutions for a
secure, sustainable and climate variability reducing energy supply (LATENERGI)”.

References

[1] Florence Collet, Sylvie Pretot. Thermal conductivity of hemp concretes: Variation with formulation, density and water content. Construction
and Building Materials,2014; 65: 612–619.
[2] Satta Panyakaew, Steve Fotios. New thermal insulation boards made from coconut husk and bagasse. Energy and Buildings 2011; 43(7):
1732–1739.
[3] Xue Li, Lope G. Tabil, Ikechukwuka N. Oguocha. Satyanarayan Panigrahi Thermal diffusivity, thermal conductivity, and specific heat of flax
fiber–HDPE biocomposites at processing temperature., Composites Science and Technology, 2008; 68(7–8): 1753–1758.
[4] Hanifi Binici, Remzi Gemci, Adnan Kucukonder, H. Hale Solak. Investigating sound insulation, thermal conductivity and radioactivity of
chipboards produced with cotton waste, fly ash and bariet. Construction and Building Materials, 2012; 30: 826–832.
[5] Xiao-yan ZhouCorresponding, Fei Zheng, Hua-guan Li, Cheng-long Lu. An environment-friendly thermal insulation material from cotton
stalk fibers. Energy and Buildings, 2010; 42(7): 1070–1074.
[6] A.D. La Rosa, A. Reccaa, A. Gagliano, J. Summerscales, A. Latteri, G. Cozzo, G. Cicala. Environmental impacts and thermal insulation
performance of innovative composite solutions for building applications. Construction and Building Materials, 2014; 55: 406–414.
[7] L. Dobircau, P.A. Sreekuma, R. Saiah, N. Leblanc, C. Terrié, R. Gattin, J.M. Saiter. Wheat flour thermoplastic matrix reinforced by waste
cotton fibre: Agro-green-composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 2009; 40(4): 329–334.
[8] Maria Kuranska, Aleksander Prociak. Porous polyurethane composites with natural fibres. Composites Science and Technology, 2012; 72(2):
299–304.
[9] Hanna-Riitta Kymäläinen, Anna-Maija Sjöberg. Flax and hemp fibres as raw materials for thermal insulations. Building and
Environment,2008; 43(7): 1261–1269.
[10] JiĜí Zacha, Jitka Hroudováb, JiĜí Brožovskýc, ZdenČk Krejzad, Albinas Gailiuse. Development of Thermal Insulating Materials on Natural
Base for Thermal Insulation Systems. 11th International Conference on Modern Building Materials, Structures and Techniques, MBMST
2013
[11] Youngqist, J. A., English, B. E., Shamer, R. C., Pchow, P., Shook, S. R., 1994. Literature Rewiew on use of nonwood plant fibers for
building materials and Panels [online]. Gen. Tech. Rep. FPL-GTR-80. Madison, WI: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Forest
Products Laboratory. p.146 [cited 8.07.2014]. Available from Internet: http://128.104.77.228/documnts/fplgtr/fplgtr80.pdf
[12] Fengel, Dietrich, Wegener. Wood: chemistry, ultrastructure, reactions. Walter de Gruyter, 2011.
[13] Barisa, A., CimdiƼa, G., Romagnoli, F., Blumberga D. Potential for Bioenergy Development in Latvia: Future Trend Analysis. Agronomy
Research, 2013; 11(2): 275–282. ISSN 1406-894X.