Review Article,  J Nucl Ene Sci Power Generat Technol Vol: 11 Issue: 6

Review of the Thermal Comfort and Energy Conservation Performance of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) In the Building Envelope

Fitsum Andualem^* and Pranil Sawalakhe V

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jain University, Bangalore, India

*Corresponding Author:Fitsum Andualem, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jain University, Bangalore, India;E-mail: prasannamishra234@gmail.com

Received date: 09 February, 2022, Manuscript No. JNPGT-21-46976;
Editor assigned date:11 February, 2022, PreQC No. JNPGT-21-46976 (PQ);
Reviewed date: 25 February, 2022, QC No. JNPGT-21-46976;
Revised date: 13 April 2022, Manuscript No. JNPGT-21-46976 (R);
Published date: 02 May 2022, DOI: 10.4172/2325-9809.1000283

Citation: Fitsum A, Pranil SV (2022) Review of the Thermal Comfort and Energy Conservation Performance of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) In the Building Envelope J Nucl Ene Sci Power Generat Technol 11:6.

Abstract

Keywords: Building envelope; Energy conservation; Phase change material; Temperature; Thermal comfort

Introduction

Energy demand is growing for the world as a whole. It creates a scarcity of energy consumed in buildings. The substitution of energy supply sources from traditional to renewable or self-feeding sources is a result of this. The construction industry now absorbs substantial quantity of energy generated worldwide mainly meant for heating, ventilation and air conditioning system every day. So policymakers and the government should concentrate deeply on implementing policies in this field. Heat Storage Technology (HST) is one of the most used methods for energy management in addition to thermal relief. Due to this Phase Change Materials (PCM) are used to store latent heat throughout the daytime while all through the night time it release the warehoused heat by phase changes. In this case, we only address the phase shift from liquid to solid or vice-versa of said material i.e. PCM. Furthermore, they are promising materials for energy conservation and thermal comfort via this phenomenon. Thermal energy does have a higher power capture or storage potential over sensible temperature, allowing these to conserve more power along with heat energy within constructions [1,2].

Using PCMs in the building envelope has the following advantages. It can increase the building envelope's heat power, control indoor temperature fluctuations and enhance thermal comfort. In contrast, at the time the PCMs are coupled with the air conditioning system, by shifting the pick load demand of electricity, it reduces the electrical power used by Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems because these materials are becoming increasingly desirable in the construction industry [3].

In the resource-saving construction domain the usage of the PCM envelope and study on enhancing the interior thermal conditions has become increasingly common [4]. This review paper focuses primarily on research papers that have been carried out to assess the efficiency of resource savings and thermal satisfaction PCM. This paper also included the techniques and the methods used for the implementation of PCMs in the building [5-7].

Literature Review

Phase change material’s for buildings

Heat can always be kept either in form known as Latent Heat Storage (LHS) or in its other form known as Sensible Heat Storage (SHS). Due to its high conversion efficiency and low heat fluctuation, LHS materials utilized to store a heat directly from solar radiation or ambient temperature and release it when required. Material classification and comparison of PCMs are discussed in Table 1 and will allow the selection of PCM material that matches our building envelope [8-10].

Classification

PCMs are divided into three varieties depending upon their status of phase transformation or shift from one stage to other [11]:

• Solid-solid (S2S)
• Solid-liquid (S2L)
• Liquid-gas (L2G)

For one of the storage i.e. thermal energy storage, the very well suited type among the above three are S2L PCMs like organic (Paraffin or Non-Paraffin based), inorganic (Salt Hydrate or Metallic) and Eutectics PCMs as depicted below in Figure 1. A summary of the many types of PCMs is provided in Table 1 and Figure 1. [12].

Table 1: Illustrates the contrast of the various forms of Phase Change Material (PCM)[4]. The merits and demerits of different types of PCM are also discussed here in this table.

Table 2: Illustrates the physical characteristic possessions of organic and hydrated salt PCM

Classification of literature review based on objective, methods and phase change materials temperature range

The classification is based on the purpose, temperature of the phase shift, the techniques and software used by the author and the parameters used to evaluate the simulation work. Table 3 shows different researchers and practitioners and their publications on PCM performance analysis in building envelope and thermal storage system [13].

Table 3: Illustrates the classification of literature based on objective, methods and phase change temperature range.

Numerical modelling formulas

During the phase shift from solid to liquid, volume of the PCMs is changed, leading to a volumetric contraction. Every alteration inside the original system is represented using the solid PCM coordinates, whenever the solid PCM covers whole region. Considering there is no interaction within the liquid state, the conductivity formula using solid PCM parameters may be applied [14].

Whenever such PCM-enhanced plaster achieves its phase transition heat, it is anticipated that perhaps the phase shift take places across the time period [15].

Discussion

Study determines performance of phase transformation changes PCM within construction envelope depend on temperature of that area, PCM selected and incorporation method used. Researchers apply various methods and techniques used to analyse and simulate thermal physical properties of PCMs and also do experimental work to validate simulation work. The PCM materials are integrated in the heat and ventilation system or directly used for passive heating and cooling system with walls, ceilings, roof and floors. The materials for phase change will store a latent heat in a warm period of time and release it in a cold period. By encapsulation or by impregnation process, PCM may be used with gypsum board, mortar, bricks and blocks. The heat capacity and phase change temperature are the main parameters for selection of PCM material for specific building envelope. Finally findings show that by controlling pick electric demand and enhancing energy comfort, PCMs are promising stuff.

Experimentation and simulation are used to carry out the PCM modelling task. Due to the use of data and the precise temperature availability, experimental techniques are more accurate than simulation methods. The simulation programme, on the other hand, is simple to use and advanced. Building envelope having PCM within, has an advantage that reducing temperature fluctuations and picking demand periods by delaying temperature and heat transfer. In areas with high temperature variation and in extremely cold weather conditions, phase change materials are limited. Finally, phase change materials show that the world is transitioning from a traditional energy conservation strategy to a new mechanism. This has the potential to significantly reduce future energy usage in building sectors that utilize air conditioners [16].

Conclusion

This review paper covers the classification of PCMs, thermo-physical characteristics and extensive literature review on methods and instruments for improving efficiency. In walls, ceilings and floors, PCMs have been used to store latent heat, showing a substantial effect on minimizing temperature variations in building. We may enhance thermal efficiency in the latent Heat Storage System (LHS) system using encapsulated PCM, finned tube, Porous composite PCM, cascading PCM, Nano composite PCM techniques. This PCM integrated gypsum board is highly acceptable in construction industry for the future due to its availability and high demand. All the researchers agree that PCMs are effective innovations to support the energy efficacy besides thermal comfort of the envelope. The effectiveness of the reliance on PCM in weather conditions and the assessment of cost viability require additional effort in the research world, hopefully could be conducted in the near future.

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