Abstract
This study proposes a phase change material for use in radiant cooling panels integrated with thermoelectric modules (PCM–TERCP) and evaluates its performance characteristics during the solidification and melting process of phase change materials in design conditions. The PCM–TERCP consists of phase change materials (PCMs), thermoelectric modules (TEMs), and aluminumpanels. TEMs operate to freeze the PCM, and PCM stores the cooling thermal energy to maintain the constant surface temperature of the panel for radiant cooling. The main purpose of thermal energy storage systems is the shift of the electricity consumption from day-time to night-time during the summer season. Therefore, PCM–TERCP can implement off-peak operation according to which energy is expected to be saved. The melting temperature of PCM and the target surface temperatures of the bottom panels of PCM–TERCP were designed to be 16°C. Additionally, the room temperature and mean radiant temperature (MRT) was set to 24°C, while the thickness of the PCM pouch was 10 mm. As a result, the solidification process required 4 h and the total input power was 0.528 kWh. Correspondingly, the melting process can operate passively over a period of 4 h. In most cases, the operating temperature was lower than 19°C, which validates the temperature response of PCM–TERCP.
Highlights
According to some published studies, energy consumption in buildings accounts for almost 41% of the world’s energy consumption [1]
The average temperature of the bottom side of the phase change materials (PCMs) was lower than the melting point of 3°C
It was considered that the PCM was frozen
Summary
According to some published studies, energy consumption in buildings accounts for almost 41% of the world’s energy consumption [1]. Most of this energy consumption occurs in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). To decrease the HVAC energy consumption, many decoupling systems that effectively decouple the sensible and latent loads have been studied and used. Among the sensible cooling units, ceiling radiant cooling panels (CRCPs) have been used because they are quiet, efficient, and can supply better thermal comfort than other parallel cooling units [2]. CRCPs use the chilled water from the vapor compression cooling system. Many researchers studied the non-vapor compression technique without a refrigerant to replace the vapor compression system
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