Analysis of the Thermal Storage Performance of a Radiant Floor Heating System with a PCM.

JinChul Park,TaeWon Kim

doi:10.3390/molecules24071352

Abstract

This study first reviewed previous studies on floor heating systems based on the installation of a phase change material (PCM) and the current status of technical developments and found that PCM-based research is still in its infancy. In particular, the improvement of floor heat storage performance in indoor environments by combining a PCM with existing floor structures has not been subject to previous research. Thus, a PCM-based radiant floor heating system that utilizes hot water as a heat source and can be used in conjunction with the widespread wet construction method can be considered novel. This study found the most suitable PCM melting temperature for the proposed PCM-based radiant floor heating system ranged from approximately 35 °C to 45 °C for a floor thickness of 70 mm and a PCM thickness of 10 mm. Mock-up test results, which aimed to assess the performance of the radiant floor heating system with and without the PCM, revealed that the PCM-based room was able to maintain a temperature that was 0.2 °C higher than that of the room without the PCM. This was due to the rise in temperature caused by the PCM’s heat storage capacity and the emission of waste heat that was otherwise lost to the underside of the hot water pipe when the PCM was not present.

Highlights

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—the international organization established to address global climate change—has targeted greenhouse gas reduction as a top priority objective in recent years
Mock-up test results, which aimed to assess the performance of the radiant floor heating system with and without the phase change material (PCM), revealed that the PCM-based room was able to maintain a temperature that was 0.2 ◦ C higher than that of the room without the PCM
This was due to the rise in temperature caused by the PCM’s heat storage capacity and the emission of waste heat that was otherwise lost to the underside of the hot water pipe when the PCM was not present

Summary

Introduction

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change—the international organization established to address global climate change—has targeted greenhouse gas reduction as a top priority objective in recent years. South Korea has set a 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 37%. From business-as-usual levels, and has attempted to achieve greenhouse gas reduction by establishing new energy policies across all sectors [2]. Most apartments housing in South Korea employ a floor heating system based on hot water and concrete slabs: this system stores heat energy in the floor using hot water supplied by a boiler and emits radiated heat from the floor surface to heat the room [4,5].

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Discussion

Conclusion