CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings
Open Access
- 24 June 2012
- Vol. 5 (7), 2093-2111
- https://doi.org/10.3390/en5072093
Abstract
In this work, a CFD-based model is proposed to analyse the effect of phase change materials (PCMs) on the thermal behaviour of the walls of a cubicle exposed to the environment and on the resistance of the walls to climate changes. The effect of several days of exposure to the environment was simulated using the proposed method. The results of the simulation are compared with experimental data to contrast the models. The effects of exposure on the same days were simulated for several walls of a cubicle made of a mixture of concrete and PCM. The results show that the PCM stabilizes temperatures within the cubicle and decreases energy consumption of refrigeration systems.Keywords
This publication has 20 references indexed in Scilit:
- Utilization of phase change materials and rubber particles to improve thermal and mechanical properties of mortarConstruction and Building Materials, 2012
- Heat transfer and pressure drop studies on a PCM-heat exchanger module for free cooling applicationsInternational Journal of Thermal Sciences, 2011
- Effect of microencapsulated phase change material in sandwich panelsRenewable Energy, 2010
- Solar water heaters with phase change material thermal energy storage medium: A reviewRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2009
- Review on thermal energy storage with phase change materials and applicationsRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2009
- Enhanced thermal conductivity and thermal performance of form-stable composite phase change materials by using β-Aluminum nitrideApplied Energy, 2008
- Experimental investigation of PCM cold storageEnergy and Buildings, 2008
- Free cooling of a building using PCM heat storage integrated into the ventilation systemSolar Energy, 2007
- Potential applications of phase change materials in concrete technologyCement and Concrete Composites, 2007
- Review on thermal energy storage with phase change: materials, heat transfer analysis and applicationsApplied Thermal Engineering, 2002