Experimental investigation and EnergyPlus-based model prediction of thermal behavior of building containing phase change material. (July 2017) - Sang, Yizhou
Abstract: In this paper, the effect of phase change materials Natural TCM Energy Saver ® (TCM) integrated in building for space heating and thermal comfort was investigated. The mean radiant temperature and asymmetric radiation of the house with and without TCM were compared to investigate the effect of TCM on the thermal comfort. The results showed that TCM can minimize the temperature fluctuation and improve the thermal stability of the test house. A conduction finite difference (ConFD) algorithm in EnergyPlus was used to model building integrated with TCM. The predicted results was compared with experimental data. Results showed that the model was able to follow the trend of the inner surface temperature. Graphical abstract: Thermogram of east wall with and without TCM shows the recorded temperatures based on a color code. The wall with TCM has a higher inner surface temperature indicating TCM absorbed surplus heat by melting during the day and released the heat by crystallization during the night to stabilize the room air temperature. Highlights: Effect of TCM integrated in building for space heating and thermal comfort was investigated. TCM can minimize the temperature fluctuation and improve the thermal stability. Asymmetric radiation was reduced after TCM installation. EnergyPlus was used to model building integrated with TCM.