Application of shape-stabilized phase-change material sheets as thermal energy storage to reduce heating load
Maintaining constant thermal conditions in building interiors requires substantial energy. Using phase-change materials (PCMs) with construction materials can improve thermal performance without increasing energy expenditure. Herein, shape-stabilized PCMs (SSPCMs) were used. We measured the thermal performance of a PCM sheet and established the melting- and solidification-temperature ranges at 19–25℃. Three identical huts were examined using varying PCM levels under natural and heating conditions. In Hut A, no SSPCM sheets were applied; in Hut B, four layers of SSPCM sheets were applied to the floor; in Hut C, one layer of SSPCM was applied to the floor, walls, and ceilings. The results demonstrated that the application of SSPCM sheets improves thermal performance. For an equal number of SSPCM sheet layers applied on each side, the floor directly exposed to solar radiation showed the highest indoor temperature stabilization effect, followed by the walls and ceilings. Hence, effective PCM usage can entail large-scale application of SSPCM sheets to building surfaces.
SSPCM sheet
Cross-section of SSPCM sheet installation
Weather conditions and indoor temperature
Indoor -temperature difference
Reference
H.B. Kim, M. Mae, Y. Choi, T. Kiyota, Experimental analysis of thermal performance in buildings with shape-stabilized phase change materials, Energy Build. 152 (2017) 524–533.