Development of bio-based insulation materials for the improvement of thermal comfort of housing in Burkina Faso

Abstract

Burkina Faso is located in the heart of Africa, where the average temperature during the dry season is about 40 °C. The 75% of the population is located in rural areas but, in the last years, there is a big migratory flow to the cities, in an irregular process of urban expansion where most of the houses are made with walls of concrete blocks and metal sheet roofs, generating a big lack of thermal comfort and habitability conditions. The main objective of this project is to develop a thermal insulation material, with low environmental impact, which could contribute to improve the living conditions in this new urban area of Burkina Faso. To this end, biomaterials locally available, in particular wastes or byproducts of agricultural industry have been used. Several formulations, based on peanut shells and sorghum canes and agglutinated with different kind of binders, have been investigated by evaluating properties as thermal conductivity, mechanical strength and fire reaction. The obtained insulation composites exhibited low thermal conductivity values and acceptable mechanical and fire reaction properties. Thus, according to the results, the material seems to be a promising renewable and locally manufactured product suitable for application in developing countries.