Thermal analysis of building benefits from PCM and heat recovery- installing PCM to boost energy consumption reduction

Abstract

Considering the total final consumption as a criterion, the buildings' energy consumption share reaches more than 30%. To reduce it in buildings located in the Middle East, the addition of PCM, economizer, and heat recovery can be helpful. Using numerical methods and applying energy balance to the building, the energy in the building temperature regulation section (TRS) and mechanical air supply system (MASS) was investigated. PCMs of Pure Temp 23, Pure Temp 25, Pure Temp 27, and Pure Temp 29 were integrated into the building under two scenarios. In the first scenario, the temperature inside the building was constant at 23, 24 and 25 °C. Pure Temp 29 which undergoes phase change at 29 °C, when added to the building, less energy was consumed by 17.39 kWh/m2 at 23 °C, 17 kWh/m2 at 24 °C and 16.92 kWh/m2 at setpoint of 25 °C. For next scenario (inside temperature varied between 23 and 25 °C), Pure Temp 29 was also the best by recording the energy saving of 15.52 kWh/m2. To drop energy in the MASS section, an economizer was installed and owing to its activation, lower energy was consumed by 1.92 kWh/m2. Finally, heat recovery was added to the MASS section, and it was observed that this device, with a reduction of 2.77 kWh/m2, can be useful for this part of the building. Owing to installing PV cells on roof, annual electricity generation was 150 kWh per square meter.