Abstract
The problem of heat storage in low- or ultra-low-energy houses is becoming a crucial issue. The general purpose of this study was to determine the potential for utilising heat gain recovery in a building. The proposed solution is based on an auxiliary latent heat storage tank using paraffin RT24. The tank is connected to an integrated heat recovery system that supplies heat from the internal loop of a mechanical ventilation system. The storage capacity of the tank was determined using the proposed parameter “excess of heat gains” of the thermal zone, and was obtained by measurement. The detailed construction of the tank, the phase change material properties and the quantity were proposed. The data that was collected allowed for the calculation of the temporary charging level as well as the overall seasonal energy stored in the tank. It was shown that during the heating season, the temperature could rise above the set-up value of 20 °C by as much as 8 K at maximum. Although the analysed building was characterised by heavy construction and high thermal mass, the additional heat could be effectively stored and utilised to cover the energy demand of the zone at the level of 88 MJ/a and 208 MJ/a, depending on the airflow rate between the rooms and the heat exchanger, for 140 and 420 m3/h, respectively. The expected energy effect for a low thermal mass construction, e.g., a timber frame was much higher and the results obtained by using the numerical simulation were 116 MJ/a for 140 m3/h, and 273 MJ/a for 420 m3/h, respectively.
Highlights
Constructed low-energy buildings are characterised by their ability to balance heat gain and heat loss
This study investigates the possibility of storing internal heat gains to stabilise internal air temperatures during the heating or cold season
The proposed technical solution was a small peripheral heat storage tank connected to the air ventilation circuit using phase change materials
Summary
Constructed low-energy buildings are characterised by their ability to balance heat gain and heat loss. According to Reilly and Kinnane [12], while high thermal mass structures are likely to be effective in hot climates, in cold climates the drawbacks of high thermal mass outweigh the advantages and high thermal mass leads to an increase in energy use These conclusions were formulated for well insulated external walls during negative heat flux at night, considering any internal partition (or other internal accumulated volume) in which the heat was stored and released to the indoor environment without external loses. Zalba et al [25], has shown that it is possible to integrate PCM with the building’s elements, along with utilizing them in different types of storage tanks [26] Such solutions are usually installed in technical areas and not living spaces, and can be connected to Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems [27]. Excess heat gains (EHG) were assumed and served as the basis for the temporary (TEHG), seasonal (SEHG) and average values
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