Integration of lauric acid/zeolite/graphite as shape stabilized composite phase change material in gypsum for enhanced thermal energy storage in buildings

Abstract

The effectiveness of Gypsum plaster loaded with Shape Stabilized Composite Phase Change Material (SSCPCM) in regulating indoor temperature of the building is experimentally investigated in this study. SSCPCM is composed of Gypsum/Lauric acid/Zeolite loaded with varying percentage of Graphite (0 wt%, 5 wt%, and 10 wt%). The SSCPCM-0, SSCPCM-5, and SSCPCM-10 were characterized for morphology, physical structure, chemical structure, thermal energy storage capabilities, thermal stability, and thermal conductivity using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), and thermal conductivity meter respectively. The results suggest that SSCPCM have excellent surface morphology and shows good chemical, thermal and physical stability. Thermal energy storage capacity of 81.08 J/g, 74.02 J/g, and 54.30 J/g at thermal conductivity of 0.242 W/mK, 0.427 W/mK, and 0.774 W/mk were shown by SSCPCM-0, SSCPCM-5, and SSCPCM-10 respectively. Additionally, SSCPCM-5 has shown superior thermal reliability by maintaining the thermo-physical characteristics after 1000 thermal cycles. These SSCPCMs were used to prepare GPCM, GPCM-5, and GPCM-10 composite gypsum plaster and five day real outdoor testing was conducted by applying them on indoor roof and south wall of cubicles. GPCM has effectively improves the indoor temperature profile in comparison with GPCM-5 and GPCM-10.