Reducing The Energy Consumption By Using Floor Heating With Phase Change Materials In The Toronto Climate

This major research project focuses on reducing the energy consumption, by modelling a radiant floor heating system with phase change materials, in the Toronto climate. Computer generated simulations were performed using DesignBuilder software, using an example of a typical condominium in Toronto .Two south facing suites and two north facing suites were investigated. Of those suites, one north facing suite had PCM below the finished floor, as well as one south facing suite. The objective of these simulations was to determine the impact of using PCM in the condo suites. Three different types of PCM were used, in order to determine which type had the biggest energy savings. The PCMs were M91/Q21, M51/Q21 and M27/Q21. The final results showed that the suites with the M27/Q21 PCM had the lowest energy usage. A cost savings comparison was performed based on the rate of energy used and the cost of the energy, provided by the Ontario Energy Board.

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

Fluids ◽

10.3390/fluids6080275 ◽

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.

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

10.32920/ryerson.14660997 ◽

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 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.

A Detached House Simulation Using the International Building Physics Toolbox in Matlab\Simulink

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.162.567 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 162 ◽

pp. 567-574

Author(s):

Vlad Muresan ◽

Balan Radu ◽

Donca Radu ◽

Laura Pacurar

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Heating System ◽

Building Energy ◽

Matlab Toolbox ◽

Energy Behavior ◽

Detached House ◽

Building Physics ◽

Radiant Floor Heating ◽

Energy savings are an important issue in the context of climate change. The main goal of researchers is to study and develop new methods of improving energy efficiency in household heating. In this paper a Matlab toolbox is presented and explained. The toolbox is developed for researchers and students interested in simulating building energy behavior. A test room is developed and simulated and a radiator model is implemented. Two types of heating are used during the simulation: a radiant floor heating and a panel radiator. A simple on-off control is used for each heating system. The goal of the paper is to study the impact on energy consumption of each heating system used and their impact on energy consumption when the two heating systems are used in different configurations.

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

10.32920/ryerson.14660997.v1 ◽

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 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.

Research on the influence of uneven solar radiation distribution on the radiant floor heating system in railway stations on Tibetan Plateau

E3S Web of Conferences ◽

10.1051/e3sconf/202126101058 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 261 ◽

pp. 01058

Author(s):

Jiacheng Zheng ◽

Tao Yu ◽

Bo Lei ◽

Ruixin Lv ◽

Chen Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Tibetan Plateau ◽

Solar Radiation ◽

Thermal Comfort ◽

Heating System ◽

Railway Stations ◽

Radiation Distribution ◽

Radiant Floor Heating System ◽

Radiant Floor Heating ◽

In cold regions, radiant floor heating systems are commonly used in public buildings due to better thermal comfort and lower energy consumption. However, in transportation buildings with many transparent envelopes such as railway stations on Tibetan Plateau, the strong solar radiation entering into the station may cause local overheating, which has a great effect on the radiant floor heating system. In this paper, a railway station on Tibetan Plateau is simulated to investigate the influence of uneven solar radiation distribution on the radiant floor heating system. Results show that due to the strong solar radiation, the floor surface temperature and indoor operative temperature in some parts of the waiting hall can reach up to 30 °C and 26 °C, respectively. The temperature difference of the floor surface can even exceed 5 °C occasionally during the heating period. According to the results, it can be found that the method of reducing the heating in the area with strong solar radiation and making full use of solar radiation for heating is an effective way to improve the indoor thermal comfort and reduce the heating energy consumption of heating system.

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

Energies ◽

10.3390/en13184594 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (18) ◽

pp. 4594 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

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 ◽

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.

Energy Impacts of Nonlinear Behavior of Phase Change Materials When Applied to Opaque Building Envelopes

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering ◽

10.1115/1.4024926 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 136 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Paulo Cesar Tabares-Velasco

Keyword(s):

Phase Change ◽

Energy Use ◽

Phase Change Materials ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Peak Load ◽

Building Energy ◽

Energy Simulation ◽

Building Energy Simulation ◽

Peak Reduction ◽

Research on phase change materials (PCM) as a potential technology to reduce peak loads and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) energy use in buildings has been conducted for several decades, resulting in a great deal of literature on PCM properties, temperature, and peak reduction potential. However, there are few building energy simulation programs that include PCM modeling features, and very few of these have been validated. Additionally, there is no previous research that indicates the level of accuracy when modeling PCMs from a building energy simulation perspective. This study analyzes the effects a nonlinear enthalpy profile has on thermal performance and expected energy benefits for PCM-enhanced insulation. The impact of accurately modeling realistic, nonlinear enthalpy profiles for PCMs versus simpler profiles is analyzed based on peak load reduction and energy savings using the conduction finite difference (CondFD) algorithm in EnergyPlus. The PCM and CondFD models used in this study have been previously validated after intensive verification and validation done at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Overall, the results of this study show annual energy savings are not very sensitive to the linearization of enthalpy curve. However, hourly analysis shows that if simpler linear profiles are used, users should try to specify a melting range covering roughly 80% of the latent heat; otherwise, hourly results can differ by up to 20%.

Numerical simulation on the thermal performance of hydraulic floor heating system with phase change materials

Applied Thermal Engineering ◽

10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.10.020 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 93 ◽

pp. 900-907 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Ming Zhao ◽

Tingting Zhu ◽

Changning Wang ◽

Hao Chen ◽

Yuwen Zhang

Keyword(s):

Numerical Simulation ◽

Phase Change ◽

Thermal Performance ◽

Phase Change Materials ◽

Heating System ◽

Building energy simulations for different building types equipped with a high performance thermochromic smart window

IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science ◽

10.1088/1755-1315/855/1/012001 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 855 (1) ◽

pp. 012001

Author(s):

D Mann ◽

C Yeung ◽

R Habets ◽

Z Vroon ◽

P Buskens

Keyword(s):

Energy Consumption ◽

Annual Cost ◽

High Performance ◽

Energy Savings ◽

Cost Savings ◽

Residential Building ◽

Building Energy ◽

Smart Window ◽

Smart Windows ◽

Abstract With constantly progressing climate change and global warming, we face the challenge to reduce our energy consumption and CO2 emission. To increase the energy-efficiency in buildings, we developed a thermochromic coating for smart windows which is optimized for intermediate climates. Here we present a building energy simulation study for the use of our smart window in the four main residential building types in the Netherlands. In the study we show that for all building types energy savings between 15-30% can be achieved. Hereby the impact of the windows on energy consumption is dependent on the window surface area as well as the total floor space. Furthermore we show that by the use of our new smart window, where the thermochromic coating is combined with a standard low-e coating, annual cost savings for energy between 220-445 € for a single household can be achieved. The thermochromic coating usually accounts for half of these cost savings, that is an addition in cost savings between 6-7.5 €/m2 glass. Due to the low material and processing costs for the thermochromic coating, a return on invest within 7 years should be feasible with these annual cost savings.