Investigation of Ceiba pentandra cotton as a potential thermal insulator

                                             Sunday E. Etuk*; Louis E. Akpabio
                                             Department of Physics, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria
                                             E – mail : sunetuk2003@yahoo.com

Abstract

Thermal conductivities, specific heat capacities and densities were measured for ten Ceiba pentandra cotton samples obtained from ten different locations in Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.  Thermal diffusivities, resistivities and absorptivities were determined for each sample.  The mean values with standard error for those properties were also determined. Results show that Ceiba pentandra cotton has thermal conductivity value of 0.0412 ± 0.0003 Wm^-1K^-1 and thermal diffusivity value of (1.93 ± 0.03) x 10^-7 m²s^-1. It has a density of 40.29 ± 0.07 Kg m^-3. Results show that thermal properties of Ceiba pentandra cotton are comparative to those of already established insulating materials for solar flat plate collectors and refrigerators.
 

Keywords: Ceiba pentandra, Thermal insulator