Thermal Performance of Mortars Based on Different Binders and Containing a Novel Sustainable Phase Change Material (PCM).

Antonella Sarcinella,Sandra Cunha,José Luìs Barroso De Aguiar,Mariateresa Lettieri,Mariaenrica Frigione

doi:10.3390/ma13092055

Abstract

Increasing concerns about climate change and global warming bring about technical steps for the development of several energy-efficient technologies. Since the building sector is one of the largest energy users for cooling and heating necessities, the incorporation of a proper energy-efficient material into the building envelopes could be an interesting solution for saving energy. Phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage (TES) seems suitable to provide efficient energy redistribution. This is possible because the PCM is able to store and release its latent heat during the phase change processes that occurs according to the environmental temperature. The purpose of this paper was the characterization of the thermal properties of a composite PCM (i.e., Lecce stone/poly-ethylene glycol, previously developed) incorporated into mortar compositions based on different binders (i.e., hydraulic lime and cement). The study was carried out using an experimental set up through which it was possible to simulate the different seasons of the years. It was observed that the addition of PCM in mortars leads to a decrease of the maximum temperatures and increase of the minimum temperatures. Furthermore, the results shown a reduction of the heating and cooling needs, thus confirming the capability of this material to save energy.

Highlights

In the current world scenario, environmental issues as well as climate change represent a real problem that concerns all humanity
For the cement-based mortar as well as for the hydraulic lime-based one containing the phase change material (PCM), the higher temperature was found to be lower than 3 ◦ C compared to the temperature program, while the temperatures of the same mortar formulations without the PCM are lower than 2 ◦ C if compared to the temperature program. These results demonstrated that the PCM produced positively influences to a similar extent both high- and low-temperature external conditions
The influence of a composite phase change material system included into two mortar compositions, based on cement and on hydraulic lime, on thermal properties of the same mortars was evaluated

Summary

Introduction

In the current world scenario, environmental issues as well as climate change represent a real problem that concerns all humanity. This awareness has led international policy to incentivize research pushing it in the development of new renewable energy solutions. Major components of energy consumption in the building sector are in heating, cooling, air conditioning and ventilation systems for comfort demands [2]. For this reason, buildings should be designed to ensure the thermal comfort of the occupants, with minimum auxiliary energy for heating and cooling equipment [3]

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