Conference Paper

Proceedings of Building Simulation 2019: 16th Conference of IBPSA

Experimental And Numerical Investigations On Optimal Phase Change Material Melting Temperature Utilized Either Alone Or With Night Ventilation

Ebrahim Solgi, Ruwan Fernando, Zahra Hamedani
Griffith University, Australia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26868/25222708.2019.210316
Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) are a passive way of providing temperature amelioration without significant alteration to the building’s design. As with many passive technologies, the use of PCMs is highly context-driven, with many non-linear relationships in the way the environmental system is affected. These include insulation, ventilation and the properties of the PCM itself, such as melting temperature and thickness. To explore the relationships between the different parameters, an exhaustive list of construction scenarios was created, making use of automation for generation and simulation. The simulation model was validated using a full-scale construction tested in a calorimeter. Automated methods were used to analyse and visualize the data that resulted from the large simulation set. The results demonstrate that although the presence of night ventilation (NV) will raise the PCM’s efficiency, it has no effect on the optimum PCM melting temperature. Also, in tropical climates, the use of PCMs is not recommended, while NV alone is effective for sufficiently-insulated buildings.
Keywords: Phase Change Materials, Thermal Energy Storage, Simulation, EnergyPlus, Residential
Pages: 1647 - 1651
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