Performance evaluation of a novel cement brick filled with micro-PCM used as a thermal energy storage system in building walls

Abstract

The major crisis the world is facing now is excessive energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions. Passive cooling techniques that incorporate phase-change materials (PCM) into building components are becoming more popular. In the present study, a novel brick model was developed with PCM directly filled in the holes that are shifted towards the outer wall side. A commercially available micro-encapsulated PCM, MEP29, is used for the purpose. The temperature variations for the inner wall, outer wall, and PCM were numerically analysed in the study, as was the heat flux reduction. The effect of the position of the PCM on the brick wall on its performance is analysed using four different brick models with PCM holes shifted 30 mm, 40 mm, 50 mm, and 75 mm towards the inner wall side. The results proved that the performance and heat flux reduction are greater if the PCM is positioned away from the heat source (outer wall). The mPCM75 brick achieves a maximum heat gain reduction of 32 % and a 1.2 °C decrease in room temperature.