Computational Modeling of an Earth-Air Heat Exchanger Integrated with Phase Change Materials: A Case Study Performed for the Viamão City, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Abstract

The earth-air heat exchanger (EAHE) is a sustainable option that allows the electrical energy consumption reduction in buildings. The objective of this study is to evaluate the influence of the incorporation of the thermal energy storage principle based on phase change materials (PCM) into the EAHE on its thermal potential. For this, a three-dimensional numerical model of the PCM coupled to the EAHE (EAHE-PCM) was developed based on the effective heat capacity method and adapted to the climatic conditions and soil characteristics of the Viamão city, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. It was found that for a duct diameter and length of 0.11 m and 25.77 m, the incorporation of PCM to EAHE improved by 8.90% and 3.97% in the average annual thermal potential of heating and cooling, respectively. In addition, the average monthly thermal potential increased 19.70% (heating) and 8.48%(cooling), for the months of May and December, respectively, when the PCM was integrated into the system.