A Study on a Novel Phase Change Material Panel Based on Tetradecanol/Lauric Acid/Expanded Perlite/Aluminium Powder for Building Heat Storage

Abstract

Phase change material (PCM) used in buildings can reduce the building energy consumption and indoor temperature fluctuation. A composite PCM has been fabricated by the binary eutectic mixture of tetradecanol (TD) and lauric acid (LA) absorbed into the expanded perlite (EP) using vacuum impregnation method, and its thermal conductivity was promoted by aluminium powder (AP) additive. Besides, the styrene-acrylic emulsion has been mixed with the composite PCM particles to form the protective film, so as to solve the problem of leakage. Thus, a novel PCM panel (PCMP) has been prepared using compression moulding forming method. The thermal property, microstructure characteristic, mechanical property, thermal conductivity, thermal reliability and leakage of the composite PCM have been investigated and analysed. Meanwhile, the thermal performance of the prepared PCMP was tested through PCMPs installed on the inside wall of a cell under outdoor climatic conditions. The composite PCM has a melting temperature of 24.9 °C, a freezing temperature of 25.2 °C, a melting latent heat of 78.2 J/g and a freezing latent heat of 81.3 J/g. The thermal conductivity test exposed that the thermal conductivity has been enhanced with the addition of AP and the latent heat has been decreased, but it still remains in a high level. The leakage test result has proven that liquid PCM leaking has been avoided by the surface film method. The thermal performance experiment has shown the significant function of PCMP about adjusting the indoor temperature and reducing the heats transferring between the wall inside and outside. In view of the thermal performance, mechanical property and thermal reliability results, it can be concluded that the prepared PCMP has a promising building application potential.

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

“…Compared with other solutions, EG has high thermal conductivity, excellent chemical stability, cost-effective price, high specific surface area, and low density; which can reduce cost, avoid limit of corrosion, and avoid load-bearing. To promote the thermal conductivity of the CPCM and prevent the melted PCM from leaking [33][34][35][36], EG is mixed to absorb the phase transformation solution. In order to investigate the effect of EG on the heat transfer behavior of LA-TD-HD mixture, the heat storage and release performances of the LA-TD-HD mixture and LA-TD-HD/EG CPCM are tested.…”

Preparation and Thermal Properties of Molecular-Bridged Expanded Graphite/Polyethylene Glycol Composite Phase Change Materials for Building Energy Conservation

“…Therefore, exploiting green and energy-efficient buildings would be of benefit to the solution of energy and environment challenges facing the world. Applying phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelopes (such as wallboard [ 5 ], concrete [ 6 ], and insulation materials [ 7 ]) is a promising approach to decrease the energy consumption in buildings. The PCMs in building envelopes can spontaneously absorb thermal energy during hot daytime, and release thermal energy when the surrounding temperature dropped at nighttime.…”

Characterization and Reliability of Caprylic Acid-Stearyl Alcohol Binary Mixture as Phase Change Material for a Cold Energy Storage System

“…Eutectic PCM for building energy storage at low temperature is utilized by infiltering PCM into the supporting building material. Wang et al [ 28 ] prepared a new eutectic PCM of tetradecanol-lauric acid with the addition of expanded perlite-aluminum for building heat storage. The thermal properties of composite PCM were T m = 24.9 °C with ΔH m of 78.2 J/g and T f = 25.2 °C with ΔH f = 81.3 J/g, respectively.…”