Experimental and numerical investigation of PCMS on ceilings for thermal management

Abstract

In this study, experimental investigation of phase change materials (PCM) integrated into building on ceilings was assessed for thermal management capabilities by comparing two building test models with and without PCM based on fluctuation in PCM temperatures owing to ambient temperature variations. Commercial organic PCM (OM-30) with a peak melting point of 31.10 C was used as PCM with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as the encapsulation. Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) was used to examine the thermophysical characteristics of PCM such as phase transition temperature, latent heat, and specific heat capacity. The various PCM temperature ranges included for the study are (i) Above phase change melting temperature range ii) within Phase Change melting temperature range iii) Proximity to PCM onset melting temperature range iv) proximity to PCM end melting temperature range. Under free-floating ambient Condition, the indoor air temperature was dropped in PCM installed room up to 1.69 °C, 5.79 °C, 2.26 °C, & − 2.87 °C compared to without PCM room for a PCM Melting temperature difference of 8.77 °C,1.55 °C, 1 °C & 0.44 °C respectively. Also, it was divulged that the PCM utilized 3.2%, 31.4%, 6.9%, & 12.27% of the total latent heat energy deployed in order to produce a temperature difference of 1.69 °C, 5.79 °C, 2.26 °C, & − 2.87 °C compared to without PCM room.