Year-long energy analysis of building brick filled with phase change materials

Abstract

Recently, embedding phase change materials (PCMs) within building walls have attracted significant attention as an energy-saving technique. However, year-long analysis requires further investigation. Therefore, this study proposes two different models, that is, simulated and validated with experimental results using data from the literature. Analysis for one year is conducted to estimate the energy-saving using PCM in building brick. Energy assessment of a common brick filled with PCM is investigated. The effect of using different PCM types and arrangements is evaluated. The results show that integrating PCM to the block enhances the thermal properties of building materials by modifying the thermal storage ability of the wall materials and decreasing and shifting the peak load on the building. Using n-Eicosane as a PCM shows the lowest maximum temperature of 37.86 °C with the peak indoor heat flux decreased by 29% and shifted by 9.28%. Moreover, one-year simulations reduce the average indoor surface temperature by 1.5% using PCM with an 8% reduction in total energy transfer. Additionally, n-Eicosane gives the highest energy saving of 18.69% compared to other types of PCM and configurations. Also, results show that horizontal wall orientation received the highest value of heat gain during the day.