Energy refurbishment of existing buildings through the use of phase change materials: Energy savings and indoor comfort in the cooling season

2014 ◽  
Vol 113 ◽  
pp. 990-1007 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Ascione ◽  
Nicola Bianco ◽  
Rosa Francesca De Masi ◽  
Filippo de’ Rossi ◽  
Giuseppe Peter Vanoli
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Indoor Comfort

scholarly journals Energy efficiency of buildings with phase-change materials

2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 343-352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Lukic ◽  
Jasmina Tamburic ◽  
Dragoslav Stojic
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Latent Energy ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings ◽  
Effective Form ◽  
Indoor Comfort

The construction of energy efficient buildings using innovative building materials such as phase change materials, in addition to improving indoor comfort, energy savings and costs, can be achieved by increasing their market value. Because of its ability to absorb and release energy at predictable temperatures, phase change materials are effective in controlling and maintaining the thermal environment in the building. The use of phase changing materials, materials stored latent energy storage is an effective form of heat.

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 Performance Improvement of a Household Refrigerator using Phase Change Material

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 032-041
Author(s):  
Pradeep N ◽  
Somesh Subramanian S
Keyword(s):  
Energy Storage ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Phase Change Material ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Storage System ◽  
Thermal Storage ◽  
Latent Heat Storage ◽  
Peak Loads ◽  
Change Material

Thermal energy storage through phase change material has been used for wide applications in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration. The specific use of this thermal storage has been for energy storage during low demand and release of this energy during peak loads with potential to provide energy savings due to this. The principle of latent heat storage using phase change materials (PCMs) can be incorporated into a thermal storage system suitable for using deep freezers. The evaporator is covered with another box which has storage capacity or passage through phase change material. The results revealed that the performance is increased from 3.2 to 3.5 by using PCM.

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.

Surface Modification of Silver Nanoparticles in Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Application

2012 ◽  
Vol 622-623 ◽  
pp. 889-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shah Kwok Wei
Keyword(s):  
Silver Nanoparticles ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Silica Coating ◽  
Building Energy ◽  
Energy Application ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Corrosive Environments

In this report, we propose a direct silica-coating technique to enhance the stability of silver nanoparticles as a doping additive to enhance the thermal conductivity phase change materials (PCM). Our experimental results show that a thin layer of silica can protect silver nanoparticles and help retain its intrinsic metallic properties, when subjected to harsh corrosive environments found in PCM media. Furthermore, PCM materials can be effectively used to cool the ambient temperature of a building room by up to ~1.2 degree Celsius. Our preliminary results demonstrate a real opportunity in air-conditioning energy-savings for buildings using enhanced PCM.

scholarly journals A NUMERICAL SOLUTION THAT DETERMINES THE TEMPERATURE FIELD INSIDE PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS: APPLICATION IN BUILDINGS

2013 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 518-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giuseppina Ciulla ◽  
Valerio Lo Brano ◽  
Antonio Messineo ◽  
Giorgia Peri
Keyword(s):  
Phase Change ◽  
Numerical Solution ◽  
Building Materials ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Energy Savings ◽  
Transfer Problem ◽  
Energy Performance ◽  
Wall Layer ◽  
Storage Device ◽  
Thermal Mass

The use of novel building materials that contain active thermal components would be a major advancement in achieving significant heating and cooling energy savings. In the last 40 years, Phase Change Materials or PCMs have been tested as thermal mass components in buildings, and most studies have found that PCMs enhance the building energy performance. The use of PCMs as an energy storage device is due to their relatively high fusion latent heat; during the melting and/or solidification phase, a PCM is capable of storing or releasing a large amount of energy. PCMs in a wall layer store solar energy during the warmer hours of the day and release it during the night, thereby decreasing and shifting forward in time the peak wall temperature. In this paper, an algorithm is presented based on the general Fourier differential equations that solve the heat transfer problem in multi-layer wall structures, such as sandwich panels, that includes a layer that can change phase. In detail, the equations are proposed and transformed into formulas useful in the FDM approach (finite difference method), which solves the system simultaneously for the temperature at each node. The equation set proposed is accurate, fast and easy to integrate into most building simulation tools in any programming language. The numerical solution was validated using a comparison with the Voller and Cross analytical test problem.

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.

scholarly journals Phase Change Materials for Reducing Cooling Energy Demand and Improving Indoor Comfort: A Step-by-Step Retrofit of a Mediterranean Educational Building

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (19) ◽  
pp. 3661 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrizio Ascione ◽  
Nicola Bianco ◽  
Rosa Francesca De Masi ◽  
Margherita Mastellone ◽  
Giuseppe Peter Vanoli
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Phase Change ◽  
Melting Temperature ◽  
Thermal Insulation ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Phase Change Materials ◽  
Cool Roof ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Innovative Solutions ◽  
Indoor Comfort

The present work concerns the energy retrofit of a public educational building at the University of Molise, located in Termoli, South Italy. The study provides a comparison of the results obtained by different dynamic simulations of passive strategies to improve thermal comfort and energy behavior of the building during the summer regime. Firstly, the building model was calibrated against historical consumption data. Then, a subsequent step involves the technical-economic analysis, by means of building performance simulations, of energy upgrading scenarios, specifically, cool roof and green roof technologies for the horizontal opaque envelope and thermal insulation, vented façade, and phase change materials’ applications for the vertical opaque envelope. Improving the indoor thermal comfort and reducing the thermal energy demand during summertime through innovative solutions will be the primary objective of the present study. The energy efficiency measures are compared from the energy, emissions, costs, and indoor comfort points of view. Phase Change Materials applied to the inner side of the external walls are analyzed in depth and, by varying their melting temperature, optimization of design is performed too. This innovative material, with a melting temperature of 23 °C and a freezing temperature of 21 °C, determines the reduction of summer energy consumption of 11.7% and the increase of summer indoor comfort of 215 h. Even if consolidated, other solutions, like the cool roof, green roof, thermal insulation, and vented façade induce improvements in terms of summer energy saving, and the percentage difference compared to the basic building is less than 2%. For this case study, a Mediterranean building, with construction characteristics typical of the 1990s, traditional passive technologies are not very efficient in improving the energy performance, so the investigation focused on the adoption of innovative solutions such as PCMs, for reducing summer energy demand and improving indoor thermal comfort.

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