Abstract
This study focuses on the preparation of a novel composite phase change material (PCM) for an application of Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage in buildings. The aim of this application is to improve thermal inertia in buildings. A good thermal inertia, involves the improvement of thermal comfort and energy saving. The experimented materials’ components are selected for their availability, safety and low cost. Paraffin with a melting temperature range close to 30°C is selected as a PCM; it is composed of microcrystalline wax and liquid paraffin. The matrix is prepared from plaster, graphite powder and cellulose fibers. The PCM is introduced in the matrix following the immersion method. Several samples are prepared; there after they are subjected to a thermal treatment at 50°C for 30 min on a filter paper. The purpose is to identify the performance of each sample to retain the PCM without leakages.
 Thermal and physicochemical characterizations are performed to study the composites’ properties: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) is used to observe its microstructure; X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) identifies the crystallographic structure of the composite-PCM while Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) reveals the chemical compatibility between its different components. Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) are performed for thermal characterization. The thermal performance of the composite-PCM is verified experimentally using thermocouple measurements connected to a temperature recorder apparatus. The measurements are done simultaneously on two pellets; the first contains PCM while the second does not contain PCM.
Highlights
Today, thermal comfort in buildings is mostly ensured using heating and air conditioning systems
The second ones are more important than the firsts; they are reported at temperatures between 20°C to 40°C and they correspond to the melting peaks of the Phase Change Materials (PCMs) and the composite PCM
The composite-PCM is prepared from a matrix impregnated with paraffin (PCM) with a melting temperature range of 32.5°C
Summary
Thermal comfort in buildings is mostly ensured using heating and air conditioning systems. In buildings with massive masonry or concrete walls (Voelker et al, 2008), the thermal comfort in the summer is ensured thanks to the high heat capacity of their massive components. In this case, the thermal comfort is obtained with the Sensible Heat Storage (SHS) concept. Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are used to ensure the thermal comfort with the Latent Heat Thermal Energy Storage (LHTES) concept. The organic PCMs are the most used in the building industry because they are available in broad range of melting temperatures, chemically stable, non-corrosive and none supercooling but they have low thermal conductivity (Sari and Karaipekli, 2007). The test is performed simultaneously on two samples using thermocouples measurement connected to a temperature recorder apparatus
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