Selection of a PCM for a Vehicle’s Rooftop by Multicriteria Decision Methods and Simulation

Abstract

The automotive industry is one of the most contaminant; for this reason, solutions in efficient matter has been proposed over the years. This research contributes to this subject by evaluating the thermal comfort in the internal air of a vehicle by using a 20 mm layer of a phase-change material attached to the rooftop interior of a car. The phase-change material selection is based on a list of other materials proposed in previous research and chosen by multicriteria decision methods. In this sense, the material savENRG PCM-HS22P proved to be the best. Moreover, a simulation using the finite elements method showed how the PCM reduced the temperature of the air by 9 °C when heating and by 4 °C when the temperature drops. To conclude, the multicriteria selection methods chose the best material to absorb energy during the charging process and released it during the discharging event in this automotive application.

Coil High Voltage Spark Plug Boots Insulators Material Selection Using MCDM, Simulation, and Experimental Validation

“…More information about this MCDM can be found in [24,[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45].…”

Special Issue on “Phase Change Materials: Design and Applications”

“…In another study, Nicolalde et al [9] reported that the use of a PCM layer of 20 mm can improve the thermal comfort in the vehicle, reducing the need to use the heater or the air conditioner. It was found that the PCM reduced the temperature of the air by 9 • C when heating and by 4 • C when the temperature dropped.…”

An Economic Analysis of Energy Saving and Carbon Mitigation by the Use of Phase Change Materials for Cool Energy Storage for an Air Conditioning System—A Case Study

“…The choice of a PCM primarily depends on its characteristics, including the phase change temperature, the heat of fusion, the thermal conductivity, the density, and the specific heat capacity. [32][33][34][35][36][37]. The temperature range of PCMs that can be used in air conditioning systems is approximately 7-14 • C [38].…”