Hourly analysis of temperature and heat gain reduction for building envelope-compacted phase change material in extremely hot conditions

Abstract

Compacting phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy management in buildings is a promising method to reduce peak temperature and heat gain in hot climates. This experimental study analyses the hourly temperature reduction (HTR) and hourly heat gain reduction (HHGR) of building envelope-compacted PCM passively during a hot summer day. Two cubicles, one compact with PCM and the other without, are fabricated and examined under non-ventilated conditions concerning the supreme PCM thickness and position in the roof and the best thermally-performed PCM-bricks in the walls. The results showed that PCM effectiveness is time-dependent, and the east wall performed better than the other walls showing a maximum HTR of 9.1 % and HHGR of 16 %. Moreover, the PCM roof surface showed a maximum HTR and HHGR of 15.1 % and 34.9 %, respectively, contributing to the total HGR by one-third. The research exhibited that the PCM cubicle indoor temperature was reduced by up to 4 °C in comparison with the one referenced.