Question:

The vapour barrier in cold store wall is applied on

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Cold Store Insulation Rules: VAPOUR BARRIER is ALWAYS placed on the HIGH TEMPERATURE (WARM/OUTSIDE) SIDE OF THE INSULATION to stop inward moisture migration.
  • High temperature side of insulation
  • Low temperature side of insulation
  • Surface of wall on high temperature side
  • Surface of wall on low temperature side
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Psychrometric vapor pressure gradients and insulation moisture barrier placement: water vapor naturally diffuses from high ambient vapor pressure (warm outside) to low vapor pressure (cold interior); the vapor barrier must strictly be installed on the warm high-temperature side of the insulation to prevent moisture condensation and ice accumulation within the insulation matrix.
Key Formula or Approach:
\[ \text{Moisture Migration: } P_{v, \text{outside (Warm)}} > P_{v, \text{inside (Cold)}} \implies \mathbf{Vapour \text{ } Barrier \text{ on HIGH TEMP (Warm) Side of Insulation}} \]

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

In cold storage civil construction and thermal insulation engineering:
- Ambient atmospheric air outside a dairy cold store ($30^\circ - 35^\circ ext{C}$, high water vapor pressure $P_{v,o} \approx 4.0\text{ kPa}$) has a far higher vapor pressure than the cold interior air ($0^\circ\text{ to } -25^\circ ext{C}$, vapor pressure $P_{v,i} \approx 0.1 - 0.6\text{ kPa}$):
1. Water vapor is driven by this steep vapor pressure differential to migrate continuously inward through the building walls toward the cold room.
2. If vapor penetrates porous insulation (Expanded Polystyrene, Polyurethane Foam, Glass Wool), it cools to its dew point, condenses into liquid water, and freezes into ice inside low-temperature stores (increasing insulation thermal conductivity by 20-fold and destroying insulation).
3. Vapour Barrier Placement (A): An impermeable vapor barrier (aluminum foil, polyethylene film, bitumen/mastic) must be applied strictly on the High Temperature (Warm) side of the insulation (between the warm masonry wall and the insulation) to halt moisture ingress before it reaches the cold zone.

Step 3: Final Answer:

Therefore, the vapour barrier is applied on High temperature side of insulation, corresponding to option (A).
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