Abstract
The total energy consumption in a house in Chile includes 30% of heating expenses, increasing to 60% in the winter period. The current energy source are fossil fuels, which can be replaced by the sun, with an efficient implementation of the use of PCM for passive cooling/heating space from solar radiation, benefiting the environment. In the north of Chile there is a solar radiation index of approximately 2750 kWh·m−2, low cloudiness and low precipitation rates, indicating an important source of energy and great opportunity for improvement in the use and management of energy resources. Moreover, mining camps present in large numbers in the northern zone require a lot of energy to cool and heat the space. This research shows the thermal behavior in summer and winter of two lightweight constructions, similar to the type used in mining camps, with dimensions of 2.5 × 2.5 × 2.5 m at pilot scale installed at the University of Antofagasta, Chile. One of these modules contains PCM on the inside of the walls and ceiling, while the other does not, to analyze the effect of PCM by comparison. The results of this work show that in winter (August) the application of PCM favors the permanence within the thermal comfort zone, with a difference of 5°C. In summer there is an opposite effect (January), experiencing a higher temperature increase inside the container with PCM, with a difference of 4°C. According to the constructive characteristics, properties and quantity of PCM used, and the effect of solar radiation on the structure and environmental conditions, there are benefits in energy saving and efficiency in the winter period, while summer shows results that enhance the study and analysis of the applied technology to solve the thermal behavior shown in this season.
Highlights
Current conditions and climate changes worldwide force the human being to act against this constant deterioration of the planet
This research shows the thermal behavior in summer and winter of two lightweight constructions, similar to the type used in mining camps, with dimensions of 2.5 x 2.5 x 2.5 m at pilot scale installed at the University of Antofagasta, Chile
This means that, in case of needing to use an active system such as air conditioning equipment to maintain the sensation of thermal comfort, it will be turned on 4 hours later with the use of Phase change materials (PCM), which allows energy savings thanks to the decrease in energy consumption time
Summary
Current conditions and climate changes worldwide force the human being to act against this constant deterioration of the planet. It is important to note that renewable energy sources have a greater benefit in their exploitation than non-renewable resources, due to their long-term availability, accessibility, and friendliness with the environment [1], such as solar energy, which is the focus of the present work. It is possible to affirm that energy is the key requirement to achieve technological advancement and economic development for the progress of societies around the world [2], in addition to the important care of the environment
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