No abstract

Radiant floor systems have the potential to reduce energy consumption and the carbon footprint of buildings. This study analyzed a novel radiant panel configuration comprising a metal plate with small spikes that can be pressed into cement board or wood. The behaviour of this configuration was simulated for different materials for the metal plate, spike dimensions, and varying spacing between spikes. An annual energy simulation model compared the radiant panel configuration with traditional concrete-based system. Simulations were run under heating dominant, cooling dominant, and neutral conditions; significant cost savings and greenhouse gas emission reduction were seen across all scenarios.

<p>To avoid the catastrophic results of climate change, a major shift towards clean, sustainable and renewable energy technologies is inevitable. Since buildings are capable of on-site thermal energy generation and exhibiting predictive patterns of heating and cooling, many attempts are currently underway to incorporate more renewable energy (e.g., geothermal heating and cooling) systems in buildings. Subsurface geothermal resources represent a great potential for direct use of energy; put another way, the planet is a six sextillion (10²¹) metric ton battery that is continually being replenished by solar radiation, lightning, and heat from its deep-down molten core. Despite the enormous energy potential, geothermal systems are not adopted widely due to three main reasons: high drilling costs, energy imbalance in the ground, and lack of drilling space. To address these challenges, a novel foundation-based geothermal heat exchanger system incorporating phase change material (PCM) has been designed. The proposed technology, utilizing a foundation caisson, reduces the construction and installation costs by integrating energy and structural systems together into a single ground installation. The present study aims to characterize the thermal performance of the proposed system through a numerical model that is validated and calibrated using the experimental data generated from a demonstration site that hosts a foundation caisson. Efficacy of the use of PCM on improving the thermal performance of the system is characterized in terms of energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Sensitivity studies demonstrate improvement in the performance of the caisson with the use of PCM with increased thermal conductivity. Also, as the seasonal heat injection to extraction ratio deviates further away from unity, the PCM helps improve the thermal performance as evidenced through reduced primary energy consumption.</p>

<p>The present work investigates two novel technologies: a radiant floor panel and foundation caisson enhanced with phase change material (PCM). The outcome of the research and study on the lightweight novel radiant panel demonstrates several advantages such as retrofittability, ability to respond quickly to building load fluctuations, minimization of unwanted heat transfer towards the ground, cost-effectiveness, and energy savings compared to traditional radiant floor systems seen on the market. The numerical model developed to characterize a foundation caisson enhanced with the PCM demonstrated its ability to address the issue of thermal imbalance when subjected to cooling or heating dominant load profiles. Based on the results of this research, it is expected that without compromising the structural integrity of the foundation caisson and with the selection of an appropriate PCM (considering thermal diffusivity, melting point temperature range, viscosity etc.), an improvement in the thermal performance of the configuration can be demonstrated.</p>

<p>To avoid the catastrophic results of climate change, a major shift towards clean, sustainable and renewable energy technologies is inevitable. Since buildings are capable of on-site thermal energy generation and exhibiting predictive patterns of heating and cooling, many attempts are currently underway to incorporate more renewable energy (e.g., geothermal heating and cooling) systems in buildings. Subsurface geothermal resources represent a great potential for direct use of energy; put another way, the planet is a six sextillion (10²¹) metric ton battery that is continually being replenished by solar radiation, lightning, and heat from its deep-down molten core. Despite the enormous energy potential, geothermal systems are not adopted widely due to three main reasons: high drilling costs, energy imbalance in the ground, and lack of drilling space. To address these challenges, a novel foundation-based geothermal heat exchanger system incorporating phase change material (PCM) has been designed. The proposed technology, utilizing a foundation caisson, reduces the construction and installation costs by integrating energy and structural systems together into a single ground installation. The present study aims to characterize the thermal performance of the proposed system through a numerical model that is validated and calibrated using the experimental data generated from a demonstration site that hosts a foundation caisson. Efficacy of the use of PCM on improving the thermal performance of the system is characterized in terms of energy savings and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction. Sensitivity studies demonstrate improvement in the performance of the caisson with the use of PCM with increased thermal conductivity. Also, as the seasonal heat injection to extraction ratio deviates further away from unity, the PCM helps improve the thermal performance as evidenced through reduced primary energy consumption.</p>