The Energy Conservation Potential of Using Phase-Change Materials as Thermal Mass Material for Air Source Heat Pump-Driven Underfloor Heating System in a Building

2015 ◽  
pp. 209-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Jun Huang ◽  
Neil Hewitt
Keyword(s):  
Energy Conservation ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Air Source Heat Pump

scholarly journals Defrosting Performance Improvement of Air-Source Heat Pump Combined Refrigerant Direct-Condensation Radiant Floor Heating System with Phase Change Material

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chenxiao Zheng ◽  
Shijun You ◽  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Zeqin Liu ◽  
Wandong Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Air Source Heat Pump ◽  
Composite Phase Change Material ◽  
Radiant Floor Heating System ◽  
Radiant Floor Heating ◽  
Change Material ◽  
Floor Heating

Traditional defrosting methods applied to solve frosting problems of air-source heat pumps operating in cold periods may reduce heat capacity of the system and decrease indoor thermal comfort. In order to improve the performance of air-source heat pump (ASHP) and maintain indoor temperature in defrosting conditions, an air-source heat pump combined with a refrigerant direct-condensation radiant floor heating system with phase change material is proposed and evaluated in this study. Two radiant floor heating terminals with and without composite phase change material modules were compared through experiments. A composite phase change material based on dodecanoic acid-tetradecanol-hexadecanol mixture and expanded graphite was investigated for this application. Experimental results indicate that both heat fluxes of two comparing terminals are higher than 70 W/m2 in heating condition. At the same time, the floor surface temperature, indoor air temperature, and heating capacity of the terminal with composite phase change material modules are higher than those without composite phase change material modules in defrosting condition. This suggests that the proposed system with composite phase change material modules can improve indoor thermal comfort in defrosting condition as well as satisfy the heating requirement in heating condition.

scholarly journals Energy Analysis of a Dual-Source Heat Pump Coupled with Phase Change Materials

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2933
Author(s):  
Michele Bottarelli ◽  
Francisco Javier González Gallero
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Ground Heat Exchangers ◽  
Heating And Cooling ◽  
Air Source Heat Pump ◽  
Dual Source

Installation costs of ground heat exchangers (GHEs) make the technology based on ground-coupled heat pumps (GCHPs) less competitive than air source heat pumps for space heating and cooling in mild climates. A smart solution is the dual source heat pump (DSHP) which switches between the air and ground to reduce frosting issues and save the system against extreme temperatures affecting air-mode. This work analyses the coupling of DSHP with a flat-panel (FP) horizontal GHE (HGHE) and a mixture of sand and phase change materials (PCMs). From numerical simulations and considering the energy demand of a real building in Northern Italy, different combinations of heat pumps (HPs) and trench backfill material were compared. The results show that PCMs always improve the performance of the systems, allowing a further reduction of the size of the geothermal facility. Annual average heat flux at FP is four times higher when coupled with the DSHP system, due to the lower exploitation. Furthermore, the enhanced dual systems are able to perform well during extreme weather conditions for which a sole air source heat pump (ASHP) system would be unable either to work or perform efficiently. Thus, the DSHP and HGHE with PCMs are robust and resilient alternatives for air conditioning.

scholarly journals Energy Saving and Charging Discharging Characteristics of Multiple PCMs Subjected to Internal Air Flow

Fluids ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 275
Author(s):  
Ahmed J. Hamad
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Temperature Control ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Air Heating ◽  
Room Model ◽  
Model Temperature

One essential utilization of phase change materials as energy storage materials is energy saving and temperature control in air conditioning and indirect solar air drying systems. This study presents an experimental investigation evaluating the characteristics and energy savings of multiple phase change materials subjected to internal flow in an air heating system during charging and discharging cycles. The experimental tests were conducted using a test rig consisting of two main parts, an air supply duct and a room model equipped with phase change materials (PCMs) placed in rectangular aluminum panels. Analysis of the results was based on three test cases: PCM1 (Paraffin wax) placed in the air duct was used alone in the first case; PCM2 (RT–42) placed in the room model was used alone in the second case; and in the third case, the two PCMs (PCM1 and PCM2) were used at the same time. The results revealed a significant improvement in the energy savings and room model temperature control for the air heating system incorporated with multiple PCMs compared with that of a single PCM. Complete melting during the charging cycle occurred at temperatures in the range of 57–60 °C for PCM1 and 38–43 °C for PCM2, respectively, thereby validating the reported PCMs’ melting–solidification results. Multiple PCMs maintained the room air temperature at the desired range of 35–45.2 °C in the air heating applications by minimizing the air temperature fluctuations. The augmentation in discharging time and improvement in the room model temperature using multiple PCMs were about 28.4% higher than those without the use of PCMs. The total energy saving using two PCMs was higher by about 29.5% and 46.7% compared with the use of PCM1 and PCM2, respectively. It can be concluded that multiple PCMs have revealed higher energy savings and thermal stability for the air heating system considered in the current study.

scholarly journals Technical Characteristics in the Diffusion of Cleaner Residential Heating System in China: The Case of Air-Source Heat Pump Technology

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 194008291985591 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dejin Su ◽  
Wenli Zhou ◽  
Qixia Du ◽  
Yongchun Huang
Keyword(s):  
Product Design ◽  
Heat Pump ◽  
User Satisfaction ◽  
Linear Regression Analysis ◽  
Heating System ◽  
Product Knowledge ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
Air Source Heat Pump ◽  
Residential Heating

This study aims to explore the technical characteristics that affect user satisfaction with air-source heat pump technology which is recognized as one typical cleaner residential heating system and being promoted in China in response to the national “coal to electricity” policy. Moderated hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to analyze data from a questionnaire survey of 256 residents in suburban Beijing. Empirical results indicated that product convenience, product design, product reliability, product knowledge, and total cost, respectively, affect user satisfaction, but product safety has no significant effect on user satisfaction. Meanwhile, total cost is an important contingent factor that might weaken the positive effects of product convenience (or product design) on user satisfaction. Our research provides empirical evidence for identifying factors that influence user satisfaction with cleaner residential heating system in response to new energy policy and further provides useful managerial implications for market practice.

scholarly journals Thermo-physical characteristics of building integrated phase change materials (PCM) and their applicability to energy efficient homes

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Omar Siddiqui
Keyword(s):  
Compressive Strength ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Physical Characteristics ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
Lower Phase ◽  
Physical Test ◽  
The Impact

The applicability of utilizing a variety of thermal mass including phase change materials with commonly used building materials is investigated through the use of simulations and physical testing. The thermal performance and occupant comfort potential of a novel solid-solid phase change material, known as Dal HSM, is compared and contrasted to commonly available forms of thermal mass. Detailed experimentation is conducted to successfully integrate Dal HSM with gypsum and concrete. The measurement of physical characteristics such as compressive strength and modulus of rupture is conducted to ensure that the PCM-composite compound retains the structural integrity to be utilized in a typical building. The use of thermal mass in the Toronto Net Zero house was found to contribute to energy savings of 10-15% when different types of thermal mass were used. The comfort level of the indoor occupants was also found to increase. The performance of Dal HSM was found to be comparable to a commercially available PCM known as Micronal in the heating mode. The cooling mode revealed that Dal HSM provided slightly lower energy savings when compared to Micronal due to a lower phase transition temperature and latent heat. The performance of physical test revealed a decrease in the compressive strength as the concentration of Dal HSM was increased in the PCM-gypsum specimens. Tests were also performed to analyze the impact of increasing the PCM concentration on the flexural strength of PCM-gypsum composite.

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