Numerical and Experimental Investigation of a Thermoelectric-Based Radiant Ceiling Panel with Phase Change Material for Building Cooling Applications

Mohadeseh Seyednezhad,Benjamin Kubwimana,Hamidreza Najafi

doi:10.3390/su132111936

Mohadeseh Seyednezhad, Benjamin Kubwimana + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111936

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Oct 28, 2021
Citations: 2	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Florida Institute of Technology

Abstract

The present paper investigates the performance of a thermoelectric (TE)-based radiant ceiling panel with an additional layer of phase change material (PCM) for building cooling application through numerical and experimental analyses. The design of the ceiling panel consisted of an aluminum sheet with TE modules installed on the back to maintain a relatively low ceiling temperature that provided cooling through radiation and convection. A three-dimensional model was developed in COMSOL Multiphysics, and the system’s performance in several different configurations was assessed. The effect of the number of TE modules, as well as incorporating different amounts of PCM under transient conditions, was investigated for two modes of operation: startup and shutdown. It was shown that for a 609.6 mm × 609.6 mm ceiling panel, the use of four TE modules reduced the average surface temperature down to the comfort range in less than 5 min while producing a relatively uniform temperature distribution across the ceiling panel. It was also shown that the addition of a 2 mm thick PCM layer to the back of the ceiling panel enhanced the system’s performance by elongating the time that it took for the ceiling panel’s temperature to exceed the comfort range when the system shut down, which in turn reduced the number of on/off cycling of the system. The numerical results demonstrated a good agreement with the experimental data. The results from this study can be used for the optimal design of a TE-based radiant ceiling cooling system as a promising technology for smart buildings.

Highlights

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Summary

Introduction

Over the last few decades, the population growth and increasing energy needs per capita have resulted in a major rise in energy demands worldwide. Higher energy demands have led to higher use of fossil fuels that are considered a threat for the environment. A significant portion of energy in buildings is consumed by heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Many heating/cooling systems rely on refrigerants, which are considered harmful to the environment. Researchers have been exploring alternative options that do not rely on refrigerants and offer good energy efficiency without sacrificing occupants’ comfort. A thermoelectric (TE) cooling module offers a solid-state technology that works based on the Peltier effect with no need for refrigerants, and has attracted increasing attention for its high controllability, environmentally friendly nature, and scalability. TE modules are DC powered, lightweight, and portable, and do not require major mechanical parts [2,3,4]

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