Phase Change Materials-Assisted Heat Flux Reduction: Experiment and Numerical Analysis

Abstract

Phase change materials (PCM) in the construction industry became attractive because of several interesting attributes, such as thermo-physical parameters, open air atmospheric condition usage, cost and the duty structure requirement. Thermal performance optimization of PCMs in terms of proficient storage of a large amount of heat or cold in a finite volume remains a challenging task. Implementation of PCMs in buildings to achieve thermal comfort for a specific climatic condition in Iraq is our main focus. From this standpoint, the present paper reports the experimental and numerical results on the lowering of heat flux inside a residential building using PCM, which is composed of oil (40%) and wax (60%). This PCM (paraffin), being plentiful and cost-effective, is extracted locally from waste petroleum products in Iraq. Experiments are performed with two rooms of identical internal dimensions in the presence and absence of PCM. A two-dimensional numerical transient heat transfer model is developed and solved using the finite difference method. A relatively simple geometry is chosen to initially verify the numerical solution procedure by incorporating in the computer program two-dimensional elliptic flows. It is demonstrated that the heat flux inside the room containing PCM is remarkably lower than the one devoid of PCM.

Thermal Performance Analysis of Multi-Phase Change Material Layer-Integrated Building Roofs for Energy Efficiency in Built-Environment

“…In order to determine the thermal response of energy storage in the PCM layer, it is important to analyse two processes: (i) the heat and energy transfer between the PCM layer and other roof layers (ii) heat and energy transfer within the PCM layer. Heat and energy transfer between the PCM and other roof materials can be evaluated by the heat transfer coefficient obtained by various correlations [17][18][19]. In the PCM layer processes of solidification and melting occur during the night and day on In order to determine the thermal response of energy storage in the PCM layer, it is important to analyse two processes: (i) the heat and energy transfer between the PCM layer and other roof layers (ii) heat and energy transfer within the PCM layer.…”

“…In the PCM layer processes of solidification and melting occur during the night and day on In order to determine the thermal response of energy storage in the PCM layer, it is important to analyse two processes: (i) the heat and energy transfer between the PCM layer and other roof layers (ii) heat and energy transfer within the PCM layer. Heat and energy transfer between the PCM and other roof materials can be evaluated by the heat transfer coefficient obtained by various correlations [17][18][19]. In the PCM layer processes of solidification and melting occur during the night and day on a daily basis.…”

Improving indoor thermal comfort by using phase change materials: A review

“…[6][7][8][9][10] TES plays a necessary role in a wide range of industrial and residential applications to improve the efficiency of Abbreviations: EPS, expanded polystyrene; GP, glass powder; HVAC, heating ventilation and air conditioning; LA-LWA, lauryl alcohol-lightweight aggregate; LHS, latent heat storage; MPCM, microencapsulated phase change material; PCM, phase change materials; SHS, sensible heat storage; SSPCM, shape-stabilized phase change material; TCM, thermochemical material; TES, thermal energy storage; TESC, thermal energy storage concrete; EAFD, electric-arc furnace dust; TGA, thermo gravimetric analyzer; UHI, urban heat island; VIP, vacuum insulation panels; WPC, woodplastic composite; xGnP, exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets Symbols: Q SENSIBLE , The sensible heat storage [kJ]. [6][7][8][9][10] TES plays a necessary role in a wide range of industrial and residential applications to improve the efficiency of Abbreviations: EPS, expanded polystyrene; GP, glass powder; HVAC, heating ventilation and air conditioning; LA-LWA, lauryl alcohol-lightweight aggregate; LHS, latent heat storage; MPCM, microencapsulated phase change material; PCM, phase change materials; SHS, sensible heat storage; SSPCM, shape-stabilized phase change material; TCM, thermochemical material; TES, thermal energy storage; TESC, thermal energy storage concrete; EAFD, electric-arc furnace dust; TGA, thermo gravimetric analyzer; UHI, urban heat island; VIP, vacuum insulation panels; WPC, woodplastic composite; xGnP, exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets Symbols: Q SENSIBLE , The sensible heat storage [kJ].…”

“…; C p , Storage material specific heat capacity [kJ/kgK]. 8,[11][12][13][14] A vital purpose of TES can be found in its use to reduce peak loads in HVAC systems. ; Q, Amount of heat stored/released [kJ].…”

Effectiveness of Using Phase Change Materials on Reducing Summer Overheating Issues in UK Residential Buildings with Identification of Influential Factors

“…The specific properties of PCM make it possible to store/release a high quantity of latent heat during the phase change at constant material temperature in various applications [4], and energy efficient buildings have been considered as one of the main applications of it [5][6][7].…”