Carbon dioxide reduction using passive technique of incorporating phase change materials into envelopes: A case study of climate data from Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Buildings have been studied by researchers from the perspectives of energy consumption and Carbon dioxide (CO2) production. From the former perspective, they have a share of 40% and from the latter one, their share reaches over 35%. Focusing on reducing the building share of 35%, three phase change materials were injected into the envelopes. The phase change range of the first material was between 17-19∘C, the second material was 22-24 °C and the third one was 24-26 °C. The phase change material performance under constant indoor temperature conditions (24-26 °C), was discussed. It can change the positive effect of phase change material (CO2 saving) to a negative effect (CO2 emission intensification). The first PCM (phase transition of 17-19∘C) in all conditions reduced the emission of CO2. But the annual reduction was limited to 4 to 6.8%. For the second substance, different behavior was observed on hot and cool days. On cool days, the positive effects were small but the negative effects were greater. However, the positive effect of this substance on hot days caused this substance (except 26 °C) up to 35.7%, condensed CO2 emission. At setpoint 26 °C, the second substance increases CO2 production by 2.22 kg.m−2 if it is installed inside envelopes. The third phase change material showed the best performance in all conditions and is introduced as an obstacle to the release of CO2.