International audienceThis paper presents an experimental and numerical design approach for a multi-layer insulation wall dedicated to refrigerated vehicles and containing a composite layer of PU-PCM foam. The thermal performances of the insulation walls and the thermal properties of the insulation materials are investigated using complementary experimental tools at different scales (a few mg to approximate to 100 g). In addition, a 1D FEM model of heat and mass transfer within the wall is implemented. Two PU-PCM composites with high energy storage capkities (i.e. high PCM mass rate) are characterized at small and large scales. Although local inhomogeneity of the distribution of PCM microbeads within the composite material is highlighted, the complementary experiments allowed measuring the average PCM mass rates of the composite materials: 35%w and 43%w. Furthermore, the study of the multilayer insulation Wall shows the importance of the location of the composite layer inside it. Four multi layer wall geometries were tested to define the optimization trails. The energy crossing the inner face of the insulation wall during the "road delivery period" fell by as much as 18% for the scenario, materials and geometries studied. It was observed that the composite material must be placed close to the external wall of the vehicle. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

No abstract

International audienc