Silicon technology maximises energy efficiency at new Dow Corning facility

Case Study: Dow Corning Solar Energy Exploration and Development Center

The Project
Located at their European Headquarters in Seneffe, Dow Cornings new $13 million Solar Energy Exploration and Development Center (SEED) has been constructed to expand the companys ability to innovate with a broad range of European customers and accelerate advance applied and fundamental research in solar cell development and novel silicon-based materials Many of Dow Cornings cutting edge silicon-based technologies are showcased on the SEED building, which is expected to achieve a true low K-value (20) energy efficiency. These technologies have enabled sustainable design elements such as structural glazing, weather sealing, triple glazing, high performance insulation, solar panels and building integrated photovoltaics. This focus on sustainability is having an impact on the facilities environmental footprint with heating and electricity costs anticipated to be reduced due in part to silicone technologies which have enabled energy efficient solutions This case study examines the function and effect of Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panels which were installed within the ventilated rainscreen facade of this state-of-theart structure

AV19159

The Challenge
The external facade design incorporates a combination of structural glazing and rainscreen cladding to give the building a smart visual appearance and excellent functionality. During the early project stages, engineering consultant Wintech Ltd were commissioned to produce thermal calculation studies from designs submitted by ventilated rain screen facade contractor, Hunter Douglas, using their QuadroClad rainscreen facade system. These studies analysed the performance of the complete system which included Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panels, simulating the estimated overall heat loss and calculating the average U value for the wall construction. One particular area of concern raised by these studies was related to the insulation properties of the aluminium fixings, which would cause a thermal bridge and could potentially detract from achieving the lowest possible K value for the building. A further requirement was the easy and efficient installation of the Vacuum Insulation Panels in the overall facade assembly process on site.

AV18014

City Seneffe Country Belgium Products Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panel Client Dow Corning Architect Group IPS Ventilated Rain Screen Facade Contractor Hunter Douglas Curtain Wall Contractor Groven + NV Facade Engineering Consultant Wintech Ltd

The Solution
The thermal calculation studies confirmed that Vacuum Insulation Panels of 40mm in depth would provide the insulation required to meet the architects goals for overall energy efficiency of the ventilated facade. The internal elements of the rainscreen system were assembled in factory conditions. A back panel of 25mm deep mineral wool and a frame of mineral wool were initially assembled with the Vacuum Insulation Panels bonded onto the mineral board. A thin aluminium sheet was then placed directly on top of the Vacuum Insulation Panels. The mineral wool backing eliminated any possibility of puncture of the Vacuum Insulation

Your Dow Corning Sites:

EUROPEAN AREA HEADQUARTERS Dow Corning Europe S.A. Parc Industriel Zone C Rue Jules Bordet B-7180 Seneffe, Belgium Tel : +32 64 88 80 00 Fax : +32 64 88 84 01 Dow Corning GmbH Rheingaustrae, 34 D-65201 Wiesbaden, Germany Tel: +49 611 23 71 Fax: +49 611 237 601

Your Dow Corning Construction contact details: Toll Free Numbers:

From Belgium From France From Germany From Italy From Spain From United Kingdom For English For French For German For Italian For Spanish For Russian 0800 80 522 0805 54 04 39 0800 52 50 258 800 92 83 30 900 813161 0800 91 72 071 Installation of the QuadroClad rainscreen facade system

AV17520

All other countries:

+32 64 51 11 59 +32 64 51 11 59 +49 611 237503 +32 64 51 11 73 +32 64 51 11 66 +7 495 725 43 19

Panels and also accommodated any tolerances in the concrete wall. The assemblies were transported to site and attached using a standard installation method of clips and rings. The external aluminium cladding panels were then installed on cladding rails which were directly affixed to the concrete skin of the building. Thanks to their slimline construction, the use of Dow Cornings Vacuum Insulation Panels reduced the required mineral wool insulation panel thickness from 240mm to 40mm. The standard aluminium fixings were replaced with stainless steel bracketry to avoid thermal bridges which would have negatively affected the overall K value. This issue was highlighted during the thermal calculations and would have also been a problem had a standard 240mm mineral wool configuration been adopted. Dow Corning worked in co-operation with the design and construction team at all stages on this important milestone project. In particular the correct management and handling of the Vacuum Insulation Panels whilst in the factory and on site was imperative to avoid damage which could cause loss of integrity and vacuum. Dow Corning worked in close partnership with Hunter Douglas and installer ERDO to ensure that full training was provided to operatives. The SEED complex is an outstanding showcase for many Dow Corning technologies, which make the center more environmentally conscious. Patrick De Graeve, Managing Project Engineer at Group IPS, the architects who designed the SEED commented We have used and prototyped many of Dow Cornings innovations and novel applications, pushed the limits of technical possibilities in optimizing energy use for a laboratory facility, and by doing so we answered to the sustainability demands of new construction standards.

Fax number from all countries: +32 64 88 86 86

Your Dow Corning contact details (e-mails) :

Technical inquiries: Marketing: Quality Bond : EHS inquiries : Reach inquiries:

eutech.info@dowcorning.com construction.marketing@dowcorning.com qualitybond@dowcorning.com europe.ehs@dowcorning.com reachsupport@dowcorning.com

Visit us on: dowcorning.com/construction

TURKEY DOW CORNNG KMYA SANAY VE TCARET LMTED RKET Halk Sokak Pakpen Plaza No: 44 Kat:9-10 34734 Kozyata / stanbul, Trkiye Tel: +90 216 4677645 Fax: +90 216 4673909 RUSSIAN FEDERATION Dow Corning Representation Office 17/23 Taganskaya Street Moscow 109147, Russia Tel: +7 495 783 6648 Fax: +7 495 783 6652 POLAND CENTRAL EASTERN EUROPE Dow Corning Polska Sp.z o.o 15 Marynarska Street 02 - 674 Warszawa, Poland Tel: +48 22 36 04 100 Fax: +48 22 36 04 114 GREATER GULF COUNTRIES Dow Corning Representation Office Meral Building Office Numbers 61,62 & 63 Building No.2572, Road No.2833, Block No.428 Seef District Kingdom of Bahrain Office Reception +973 17 562686 Office Fax +973 17 582052

Dow Corning Vacuum Insulation Panel (developmental product)

Dow Cornings recent breakthrough Vacuum Insulation Panel technology provides high efficiency insulation featuring five to ten times lower thermal conductivity than conventional insulation materials. With its increased thermal resistance, Vacuum Insulation Panels make it possible to create slim wall construction with high R-value performance, enabling new design opportunities for zero energy buildings.

Printed in Germany on FSC-Certified Paper. Dow Corning is a registered trademark of Dow Corning Corporation. We help you invent the future is a trademark of Dow Corning Corporation. 2012 Dow Corning Corporation. All rights reserved. Form Number: 62-1694-01

We help you invent the future

dowcorning.com