Review on phase change material based free cooling of buildings—The way toward sustainability

Muthuvelan, Thambidurai; Panchabikesan, Karthik; N, Krishna Mohan; Velraj, R.

doi:10.1016/j.est.2015.09.003

Cited by 87 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 70 publications

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“…Building envelopes offer opportunities of minimizing the building's energy demand, while simultaneously improving the environmental impact over its life cycle. A series of studies have explored the potential of phase change materials (PCMs) incorporated into building envelopes for improving indoor thermal comfort and energy performance, while the frequency of review papers on PCM applications has risen significantly . The crucial advantages of PCMs concern their storage capacity within small temperature intervals and negligible volume changes rendering them an appealing option for optimizing the thermal management of buildings .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiobjective optimization of a building envelope with the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in Mediterranean climates

2018

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Summary Thermal energy storage applications for buildings now receive considerable attention; many systems are in development or design. Numerous studies have examined phase change materials (PCMs) incorporated into building envelopes to enhance internal thermal comfort and energy performance, while others investigated dynamic characteristics and performance of PCMs on interior surfaces. Many commercial products are currently available, but research on PCMs in Mediterranean climates is lacking. This research aims at evaluating these studies regarding the potential impact of PCM on building comfort and energy performance in Greece. The methodology intends to optimize building envelopes concerning building cooling load requirements and thermal comfort conditions. Combined dynamic simulations and multiobjective optimization, using nondominated sorting genetic algorithm‐II, evaluates design options of typical office spaces: an undivided and a fully subdivided office space, respectively. Specifically, combinations of insulation and thermal mass materials are examined quantifying thermal storage potential: as sensible storage with conventional materials or latent storage with PCM. Several PCMs, with varying melting points, are evaluated in addition to operation schedules enhancing PCM performance. Specifically, the thermal characteristics of 2 commercial products (MicronalBasf® PCM and SP‐24® from Rubitherm Technologies GmbH) are initially modeled, and several hypothetical materials are subsequently defined and evaluated. This work attempts to determine suitable applications of PCM in Mediterranean climates and evaluate their performance. The numerical results evaluate measure appropriateness, and possible trade‐offs are discussed.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiobjective optimization of a building envelope with the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in Mediterranean climates

2018

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“…Residential buildings have been identified as one of the few sectors that have the potential to see large energy savings through the utilization of renewable energy and green building concepts [10]. This argument is further supported by Kosny [11], as he states that incorporating building materials with active thermal components will be an 'ultimate' step towards achieving significant savings in energy for heating and cooling applications.…”

Section: Pcms For Residential Buildingsmentioning

confidence: 68%

PCMs for Residential Building Applications: A Short Review Focused on Disadvantages and Proposals for Future Development

et al. 2017

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Phase change materials (PCMs) offer great potential as a latent heat energy storage technique to provide energy efficient systems in new and existing residential buildings. Due to their unique characteristic of high storage densities and latent heat properties, PCMs provide opportunities for greater energy storage in many applications for residential buildings. These applications include, but are not limited to, solar water heating, space heating/cooling, and waste heat recovery. This study reviews PCM systems in residential building applications, with a focus on their major disadvantages and concludes with proposals for future development. Several disadvantages of PCM use in the given application have been identified and include; super cooling, low thermal conductivity, phase segregation, fire safety, and cost. The issues caused by super cooling and phase segregation lead to thermal cycling degradation, limiting the useful lifecycle of the material. These issues could limit their potential in building applications, which require systems of a long lifespan. Low thermal conductivities can slow down the rate at which heat is distributed or absorbed from the building, which affect the occupants comfort and as well as the efficiency of the system. Ideas based on the current research on ways to limit these disadvantages are included in the study. This study also identifies that further research is required on novel maintenance ways for the PCM systems after they have been installed.

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“…More specifically, PCM can be integrated into different parts of the building, either in transparent or in translucent elements, to reduce its cooling and heating loads while its successful incorporation depends on a number of factors: the local climatic conditions, the building design and orientation, the equipment selection, the type and quantity of PCM used, the encapsulation method, the phase change temperature and the way the PCM is charged/discharged, the location of PCMs in the building structures, not to mention the utility rate policy, the occupancy schedule, and the control system in the building . Over the past few years, several reviews have been written on PCMs and their use in buildings, which is an indication of the increasing interest in PCMs worldwide . However, there are still some difficulties regarding the effective, reliable, and practical application of this technology given that most of the existing studies related to PCMs are based on numerical simulations, prototype experiments, or both, while applications in real buildings, although increasing, are still considered relatively inadequate to draw definitive conclusions or guidelines …”

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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Review on phase change material based free cooling of buildings—The way toward sustainability

Cited by 87 publications

References 70 publications

Multiobjective optimization of a building envelope with the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in Mediterranean climates

Multiobjective optimization of a building envelope with the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in Mediterranean climates

PCMs for Residential Building Applications: A Short Review Focused on Disadvantages and Proposals for Future Development

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

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