Design, Development and Thermal Performance Analysis of Ultra-Low Heat Loss Triple Vacuum Glazing

Heat loss through windows of buildings is one of the significant causes of high-energy consumption that require intervention to advance their thermal performance in a move towards net-zero energy buildings. High-performance triple vacuum glazing features ultra-low heat loss that maintains the transparency, regardless of tiny pillar spots, and slimness due to its narrow evacuated cavities. This study reports the design and development of high-vacuum system with the modified vacuum cup which provides an effective pump-out hole sealing and has an achievable vacuum pressure of 4.02·10^-5 Pa. A new dual-edge seal (low temperature melt 186°C) consists of Cerasolzer CS 186 alloy as a main and J-B Weld epoxy steel adhesive as a support seal is developed and the triple vacuum glazing (area of 300·300mm) samples are fabricated, in which the vacuum pressure of 4.8 × 10-² Pa is achieved. A 3D FEM of the fabricated triple vacuum glazed is developed and the centre-of-pane and overall U-value of 0.33Wm^-2K^-11.05 Wm^-2K^-1 respectively, are predicted.