Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

Llorach-Massana, Pere; Peña, Javier; Rieradevall, Joan; Montero, J.I.

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2016.11.040

Cited by 47 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…PCM Soil-less crops (10) are a design solution for a root zone heating system in Mediterranean greenhouses (Llorach-Massana et al 2017), as seen in Figure 12. They are based on thermal energy storage with phase change materials (PCM).…”

Section: Case Study 5 -Phase Change Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic experiences generated by sensory features through smart material driven design

González-Colominas

2018

TdD

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Materials can be considered the interface of a product as they mediate between user, environment and object (Karana, Pedgley and Rognoli 2014). They characterize the physical world and generate a continuous flow of sensory interactions. In this age of mass production, engineers and designers are in a unique position to use the opportunities presented by materials development and apply them in creative ways to trigger meaningful user experiences. Dynamism is considered a very promising material experience in terms of creating meaningful interactions, and, consequently, user attachment to a product (Rognoli, Ferrara and Arquilla 2016). Dynamic products are those that show sensory features that change over time in a proactive and reversible way, activating one or more user’s sensory modalities and aiming at enhancing the user’s experience (Colombo 2016). Smart materials could be considered the most suitable candidates to provide dynamic experiences. They react to external stimuli, such as pressure, temperature or the electric field, changing properties such as shape or colour. They are capable of both sensing and responding to the environment, as well as exerting active control of their responses (Addington and Schodek 2004). Compared to understanding traditional materials, smart materials involve additional technical complexity. The aim of this paper is to share how the Material Driven Design (MDD) method (Karana et al. 2015) has been applied and to analyse a set of 10 projects, grouped into 5 case studies, developed by students from ELISAVA over the last 3 years to improve ways to implement the method. We have analysed the case studies in terms of the changes observed in the sensory features, using a sensory map proposed by Sara Colombo (Colombo 2016). By comparing different projects, the paper shows how the sensorial aspects are invoked by different smart material properties. The 5 case studies have integrated the smart materials into functional prototypes for different application sectors, such as healthcare, energy harvesting or fashion. We have found that only three sensory modalities (sound, sight and touch) were involved in the user experience, with sight being the most predominant sensory perception. This study aims to serve as a springboard for other scholars interested in designing dynamic products with smart materials.

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Section: Case Study 5 -Phase Change Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamic experiences generated by sensory features through smart material driven design

González-Colominas

2018

TdD

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“…The use of recycled PCM and LDPE for encapsulation or an increase in the efficiency of the PCM production process could lead to a reduction in the operation days/year required to achieve environmental payback. Finally, concerning the economical assessment, the LCCA revealed that the application of PCM did not seem to be economically viable until installation and PCM prices fall significantly …”

Section: Life Cycle Analysis and Life Cycle Cost Analysis Of Pcms Formentioning

confidence: 99%

“…From 1949 till now, many experimental and theoretical studies took place concerning the use of PCM in solar heating of buildings. The application of PCMs in greenhouses, mainly for storing solar energy, is another wide field of ongoing research . Also, Abokersh et al reviewed the implementing work in utilizing PCM in various types of Solar Domestic Water Heating Systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of phase change materials (PCM) for thermal applications: A review

et al. 2017

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Summary Thermal storage systems development is under significant concern focusing mainly to the thermal energy storage use for thermal applications. On the other hand, the investigation of phase change materials (PCMs) in the building sector was tested consisting a very promising field of research and development. A number of substances have been tested as potential PCMs; however, only few of them have been further developed for commercial purposes. This is attributed to a number of thermophysical barriers, which make the applications of PCMs in buildings difficult. Several studies have examined the potential of PCM use, either incorporated into building envelopes or in heating and cooling applications. Regarding building envelope applications, PCMs are used to mainly ensure indoor thermal comfort and contribute to energy performance. The positive impact of PCMs on the building's annual cooling and heating loads in various climate zones is a common conclusion. Concerning heating and cooling applications, the main idea has been to substitute the storage medium with PCMs, which have higher storage capacity. Hence, the use of PCMs can be considered as scientifically mature, although there are still technical, environmental, and economic barriers. The present study is the state of the art of the existing research of PCM for thermal applications taking into consideration environmental (based mainly on life cycle analysis methodology) and economic performance (accounting to life cycle cost analysis methodology) criteria, while excluding solar power generation applications.

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“…A literature review has revealed that an LCA of bio-based products has previously been conducted with respect to medium-density fiberboard (MDF) [37,38], oriented strand board (OSB) [39], particleboard [40], and laminated veneer lumber [41]. The environmental performance of PCM has been analyzed in several products including solar thermal systems [32,33], root zone heating systems [42], air conditioning systems [34], and solar thermal storage systems [35]. PCMs incorporated in building envelopes are widely studied in order to increase their thermal energy storage capacity [31,[43][44][45].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of an Innovative Bio-Based Material in Construction: A Case Study of a Phase Change Material Panel

Heidari

Mathis

Blanchet

et al. 2019

Forests

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Research Highlights: This is the first study that analyzes the environmental performance of wood-based phase change material (PCM) panels. Background and Objectives: Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a powerful environmental management tool. However, a full LCA, especially during the early design phase of a product, is far too time and data intensive for industrial companies to conduct during their production and consumption processes. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for simpler methods to demonstrate a company’s resource efficiency potential without being data or time intensive. The goal of this study is to investigate the suitability of streamlined LCA (SLCA) tools and methods used in the building material industry, and to assess their robustness in the case study of a wood-based PCM panel. Materials and Methods: The Bilan Produit tool was selected as the SLCA tool and a matrix LCA was selected as the most commonly used SLCA method. A specific case study of a wood-based PCM panel was selected with a focus on its application in building construction in the province of Québec. Results: As a semi-quantitative LCA method, the matrix LCA provided a quick screening of the product life cycle and its hotspot stages, i.e., life cycle stages with high impact. However, the results of the full LCA and SLCA tools were quantitative and based on scientific databases. The use of the PCM panel and heating energy had the highest environmental impacts as compared to other inputs. The results of the full LCA and SLCA also identified energy consumption as a hotspot. Insufficient material or processes in the SLCA databases was one of the reasons for the difference between the results of the SLCA and full LCA. Conclusions: The examined SLCA methods provided proper explanations for the bio-based material in construction, but several limitations still exist, and the methods should be improved to make them more robust when implemented in such a specific sector.

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Analysis of the technical, environmental and economic potential of phase change materials (PCM) for root zone heating in Mediterranean greenhouses

Cited by 47 publications

References 25 publications

Dynamic experiences generated by sensory features through smart material driven design

Dynamic experiences generated by sensory features through smart material driven design

Life cycle analysis (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of phase change materials (PCM) for thermal applications: A review

Streamlined Life Cycle Assessment of an Innovative Bio-Based Material in Construction: A Case Study of a Phase Change Material Panel

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