Abstract
The application of phase change materials (PCMs) has been verified as an effective strategy for improving energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Biocomposite PCMs (Bc-PCM) exhibit large latent heat, chemical stability, and a wide temperature range. In this study, thermal conductivity improved Bc-PCM (TBc-PCM) was made via vacuum impregnation with graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Chemical stability analysis and thermal performance analyses of the Bc-PCM and TBc-PCM were carried out as well as building energy simulations and thermal comfort analyses. Our results show Bc-PCM showed a higher heat storage capacity and enthalpy value compared to TBc-PCM. TBc-PCM exhibited a 378% increase in thermal conductivity compared to Bc-PCM. Building energy simulation results revealed that annual heating and cooling energy consumption decreased as the thickness of the PCM layer increased. In addition, the Bc-PCM with a larger PCM capacity was more effective in reducing energy consumption during the heating period. On the other hand, the cooling energy reduction effect was greater when TBc-PCM with high thermal conductivity was applied because of the high heat transfer during the cooling period. Thermal comfort evaluation revealed it was more comfortable when PCM was applied.
Highlights
The building sector contributes 30% of total primary energy consumption [1,2,3]
Bc-phase change materials (PCMs) and thermal conductivity improved Biocomposite PCMs (Bc-PCM) (TBc-PCM) were placed in a sheet of plastic material, which had a thickness of 10, 20 and 30 mm, and was applied between the insulation and the gypsum plaster board
We confirmed that the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) absorption spectra of Bc-PCM and TBc-PCM are almost same, with absorption peaks of from 2935 to 2846, 1739, 1701, 1389, 1083, and 717 cm−1, caused by stretching vibration of functional groups of C−O, −CH2, and −CH3
Summary
The building sector contributes 30% of total primary energy consumption [1,2,3]. effective and sustainable ways to enhance thermal comfort conditions and energy efficiency in buildings are required [4,5]. Latent heat storage materials have a high storage density at small temperature intervals [9,10] In this respect, the application of phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelope components has been verified as an effective strategy for building energy efficiency improvement [11] and greenhouse gas emission reduction [5,12]. Organic PCMs are mainly used in latent heat storage systems because they have good compatibility with other materials, no super-cooling, and high heat of fusion, and can be used over a wide temperature range [16,17]. Bc-PCMs are highly appreciated given the fact that they are non-toxic, renewable, non-expensive and accessible [18,19] These Bc-PCMs are encased in a sheet of plastic material and used to stabilize room temperature when installed behind drywall on walls or ceilings. Wen et al [22]
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