Application Of Phase Change Materials Research Articles

Thermal performance of a solar heat collection and storage wall with night insulation in winter: A numerical study

The application of phase change material (PCM) in Trombe walls (TW) can improve all-day indoor thermal comfort. However, the heat loss via the glass is relatively large, resulting in low thermal efficiency at night. This paper designs a double glass and a thermal insulation curtain used to increase the thermal efficiency of a TW with PCM at night. In addition, a mathematical model based on the implicit difference method was established to study the thermal efficiency and heat loss of the proposed wall in Beijing. The findings indicate that the thermal efficiency at night is improved by 16.23 % compared to a traditional TW, while heat loss at night drops by 7.75 %. The heat gain at night first increased and then decreased with the augment of phase change temperature. As the latent heat or thermal conductivity of PCM increases, the heat gain declines during the day and increases during the night. The most suitable thickness of PCM is 0.02 m. The farther the insulation curtain is from the inner glass, the greater the heat loss and the smaller the indoor heat gain at night. And the later the opening time of the air vents during the day, the smaller the heat gain during the day and the greater the heat loss. But the resulting increase in nighttime heat gain is not significant. This study can offer design suggestions for enhancing indoor thermal comfort and nighttime insulation performance.

Synthesis, characterization and application of a magnetic nanoencapsulated PCM in enhancing the natural convection in a cube cavity

Encapsulation of phase change materials (PCMs) is an intelligently effective way to overcome the challenges of PCMs usage in heat storage and transfer applications. At the first stage of the current study, a novel magnetic nanoencapsulated PCM (M−NEnPCM) consisting of n-Octadecane (n-C18) coated with a poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) shell was synthesized through the miniemulsion ultrasonic-assistant polymerization technique. The magnetic property was introduced to the nanocapsules by adding surface-modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the core during the formation step. The dynamic light scattering (DLS) results showed an average nanocapsule size of 78 nm. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) along with transmission electron microscope (TEM) images confirmed the spherical shape with a core/shell structure of the M−NEnPCM. According to the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), M−NEnPCM had melting and crystallization latent heats of 116.47 and 124.71 J/g, respectively. Moreover, based on vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM) results, the superparamagnetic property of M−NEnPCM is proved. At the second stage, the performance of water suspensions containing different amounts of the as-prepared nanocapsules in enhancing the natural convection in a cube cavity was investigated under various heat fluxes and magnetic field flux densities. The results illustrated that the use of nanocapsules leads to enhance the natural convection up to 2 times higher than that of pure water; while there are optimum levels of M−NEnPCM concentration and magnetic field flux density at which the heat transfer coefficient is maximized.

Promotional effect of shaped coal gangue composite phase change agents doping in asphalt on pavement properties

To address issues related to the limited improvement in the performance of phase-change material (PCMs) modified asphalt and the unclear underlying mechanisms, this study developed two structurally stable and thermally efficient coal gangue composite phase-change agents. The impact on enhancing the properties of asphalt was systematically investigated. The study revealed that when the dosage of the phase-change agent is below 20%, there was a pronounced interactive effect between the agent and asphalt. This interaction had the capability to regulate both the non-polar and polar components within the asphalt colloid system. By controlling the dosage of the PCMs agent, it was possible to enhance the high-temperature rheological properties, high-temperature shear resistance and low-temperature flexibility of the asphalt. Additionally, this control improved the adhesion and moisture sensitivity of the PCMs modified asphalt and aggregate system. The maximum temperature-regulating effect of PCMs modified asphalt could reach up to 8.3 °C, with the functional attribute strongly correlated with the low-temperature performance of the asphalt. This research contributes to the promotion and application of PCMs in road engineering.

Thermal energy storage characteristics of carbon-based phase change composites for photo-thermal conversion

Capture and utilization of solar energy using phase change materials (PCMs) can effectively answer the challenge of solar intermittency. However, the flaws of low thermal conductivity and poor thermal stability of PCMs limit their practical applications, and the selective absorption of solar energy also hinders it to achieve high photo-thermal conversion. In this work, a novel PCM was synthesized by adding expanded graphite and olefin block copolymers blended within paraffin wax. Enhanced thermal conductivities were realized that a 17.12 W/(m·K) in the vertical compression direction and 4.71 W/(m·K) in the parallel compression direction, which were 68.48 and 18.84 times in contrast to that of raw paraffin wax. A maximum solar absorptance of 97.47 % was achieved, and the photo-thermal conversion and energy storage capacity in the vertical compression direction were superior using the novel PCM. With the increase in light intensity, this PCM completed phase transition faster, reached a higher equilibrium temperature, and exhibited an outstanding thermal stability and cyclic stability within the assisted electron conductivity. Additionally, commercial software was also used to simulate thermoelectric applications of the PCM in real-world settings. This study provides new ideas for preparation and solar-thermal applications of anisotropic carbon-based PCMs.

The effect of phase change material application in double skin Façade on energy saving of residential buildings considering different climates: a case study

ABSTRACT The amount of energy expenditure in buildings is 30–40% of the total energy consumption in the world and this share will increase to 50% by 2050. Therefore, reducing energy consumption is a necessity and one of the ways to reduce energy expenditure in buildings is to use passive methods. The use of DSF is expanding as a new approach for building facades due to its ability to prevent excessive heat by absorbing solar radiation. For this purpose, the energy performance of PCM and DSF was studied in three climates of Tehran, Tabriz, and Kish Island, to reveal their energy saving potential. Based on the results of this article, the use of PCM in different layers of DFS can result in a considerable energy saving in Iran residential sector. PCM is integrated both in the external wall and in the partition wall of the DoubleSkin Façade under three different climates. DesignBuilder is used for the thermal analysis of the building. The effects of melting temperature, location of PCM layer in the wall have been investigated. The results showed that we will witness the highest total energy savings percentage in the cold semi-arid climate because of using Infinite RPCM23 in October, amounting to 91.6%. In addition, by using Infinite RPCM25 in warm semi-arid climates in the highest percentage of heating load savings is 99.9% in December and January, and the highest percentage of cooling load savings in cold semi-arid climates is 67.5% by using InfiniteRPCM23 in September.

Novel microencapsulated ternary eutectic alloy-based phase change material

Recent applications of phase change materials (PCMs) include energy storage, transportation, and management. Multicomponent PCMs represent a primary tool for regulating operating temperatures across a broad range to accommodate diverse requirements across various temperature ranges. Moreover, the microencapsulation of PCMs promotes their manageability and functionality. However, microencapsulated PCMs (MEPCMs) with ternary eutectic alloy systems are yet to be reported. Moreover, various technical challenges impede the integration of components during PCM fabrication. In this study, a core–shell-type MEPCM with a ternary eutectic Al–Cu–Si alloy system was successfully developed for the first time. The MEPCM was prepared over two simple steps: (1) the formation of a precursor shell on the PCM particles using boehmite treatment and (2) the heat oxidation treatment to form a stable oxide shell. The fabricated MEPCM exhibited a melting point of 517 °C and a latent heat of 353 J g−1. MEPCMs operating at this temperature have not previously been reported. Furthermore, the heat storage density of the fabricated MEPCM was significantly higher than that of other reported MEPCMs. Additionally, the fabricated MEPCM exhibited high durability under 100 cycles of heat storage and release tests, retaining >90 % of its latent heat capacity. Therefore, for the first time, this study successfully developed a core–shell-type MEPCM with a ternary eutectic system.

Reversible assembled gelatin aerogel-based phase change materials for light-to-thermal conversion and management

Employing 3D frameworks to construct composite phase change materials (PCMs) with excellent shape stability and solar-thermal conversion capacity has been proven to be a promising strategy. However, the recycle of effective components in composite PCMs is barely concerned. In this work, reversible assembled composite PCMs are designed by integrating gelatin/CNT (GC) aerogel with paraffin wax (PW), denoted as PGC-x, where x refers to the mass percentage of CNT in GC aerogel. The porous structure of aerogel endows PGC-x with outstanding shape stability until 100 °C and high loading efficiency of PW, enabling the thermal enthalpy of composite PCMs above 164 J/g. In addition, PGC-x demonstrates superior light-to-thermal conversion performance contributed by the wide light absorbance of CNT and phase change of PW, which is further proved by the satisfied conversion efficiency and five highly consistent conversion curves. Moreover, the recovery rate of PW and CNT from PGC-x exceeds 90 % and 80 %, respectively, through simple separation process, disclosing their great potential to reversible assembly, which greatly promotes the large-scale practical application of PCMs.

Smart Deep Learning Model to Recognize PCM Optimization Performance on Solar Cooling System

Phase Change Materials (PCMs) offer a significant advantage by reducing the need for multiple cooling systems, potentially revolutionizing thermal comfort in buildings and optimizing thermal energy storage. The intriguing prospect of integrating PCMs into active heating and cooling systems has garnered considerable attention. Furthermore, the compatibility of PCMs with photovoltaic (PV) systems and various renewable energy sources enhances the system’s efficiency. This study explores the promising application of PCMs in solar-powered cooling systems, demonstrating their capacity to improve thermal comfort and energy efficiency. The choice of PCMs with specific phase change temperatures and heat of fusion is pivotal for optimal system performance. The integration of PV systems with thermoelectric coolers and other renewable energy sources further enhances the overall sustainability and energy utilization in buildings and cooling systems. These findings underscore the potential of PCM-based technology in addressing thermal energy storage challenges and advancing the sustainability of cooling systems and building environments.

Thermal storage process of phase change materials under high humidity and laminar natural convection condition: Prediction model and sensitivity analysis

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) in renewable energy storage and building temperature regulation is considered an effective method to reduce the use of fossil fuels and carbon emissions. However, issues concerning the utilization of PCMs in high-humidity environments remain to be addressed to fill the gap in real-world applications. This paper establishes a simplified novel two-zone model, comprehensively considering the natural convection on the surface of the PCP in high-humidity environments, as well as the formation, movement, and evaporation of water films on the surface. Subsequently, numerical solutions and experimental validation are conducted, and the influence of high-humidity environments on the heat and moisture transfer is elucidated. The results indicate that a high-humidity environment can significantly suppress the sensible heat transfer with a ratio range of latent heat to sensible heat typically around 1–4. Furthermore, the increase in the height of PCP leads to an increase in the proportion of sensible heat transfer. On the contrary, increasing the thermal conductivity of the PCM can amplify the latent heat transfer. The results can help further study the thermal storage and the dehumidification potential of phase change units in application on a large scale under high humidity conditions.

Use of phase change materials in wood and wood-based composites for thermal energy storage: A Review

Using phase change materials (PCMs) is an efficient solution for reducing energy consumption in buildings. These materials have a large capacity for storing thermal energy, making them an appealing option for energy management purposes. Phase change materials have been successfully incorporated into various construction materials such as concrete, brick, or plaster. The primary objective of this review is to examine previous studies conducted on the application of PCMs in wood. The initial section presents an overview of the direct impregnation techniques utilized for wooden materials. This is followed by a discussion on the implementation of macroencapsulated PCMs in wooden structures that are typically present in residential buildings. In addition, the use of shape-stabilized PCM/wood composites, preventing potential leaks during the phase change transition, is explored. Finally, patents related to the use of PCMs in wood are described. Future challenges include the incorporation of PCMs into wood composites to improve their thermal properties. This literature review shows that there is a gap in knowledge regarding the utilization of phase change materials in wood-based panels such as oriented strandboards, fiberboards, and particleboards. This provides an opportunity for future research to improve the performance of the products manufactured by the wood-based panels industry.

Performance evaluation of different building envelopes integrated with phase change materials in tropical climates

The need to improve building envelope components and reduce energy consumption is becoming increasingly crucial. The use of phase-change material (PCM) technologies is a viable solution to reduce energy consumption in buildings and associated greenhouse gas emissions. However, the performance of PCMs in buildings is strongly dependent on the melting temperatures and the climate conditions of the building's location. Therefore, the present study presents an optimisation-based approach to assessing the performance of building walls integrated with PCMs at different melting temperatures. To achieve this goal, a multiobjective genetic algorithm is used in conjunction with EnergyPlus building energy models to determine the optimal balance between total building energy consumption, lifecycle cost, and CO2 emissions. The proposed approach is applied to a single-family residential building located in six locations in the Central African sub-region classified as tropical savanna climate (Aw), hot semi-arid climate (Bsh), tropical rainforest climate (Af), and tropical monsoon climate (Am). Two different PCM technologies (InfiniteRPCM and BiocPCM) are applied to four wall types (brick, concrete block, cast concrete, and earth), and their parametric models are developed in EnergyPlus to optimise the melting temperature, thickness, and location of each PCM layer simultaneously. An optimisation is conducted for each selected wall and each location, and the optimised buildings are systematically compared to the reference buildings. The optimisation results showed that regardless of the climate zone and wall type, the application of PCMs with different melting temperatures significantly reduced energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Moreover, the results showed a different set of optimal solutions for each climate zone and wall type. The optimal solutions reduced the total energy, life cycle cost, and CO2 emissions by up to 47.80 %, 29.62 %, and 52.96 %, respectively.

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication: One-step forming for thermosensitive solid–solid phase change thermal energy harvesting, storage, and utilization

In light of the growing recognition of low-carbon initiatives, renewable energy is gradually assuming a dominant role within the energy framework. Phase change materials can enhance the efficiency of renewable energy utilization by energy peak shaving and time shifting. However, leakage and inherent rigidity signify that a significant amount of energy input is required for scale-up applications of phase change materials to enhance shape stability and processability during industrial installation. In conventional enhancement strategies, high-quality encapsulation means more intricate processes and higher energy consumption. Here we propose a simplified thermally-initiated encapsulation and molding strategy, which involves grafting the phase change materials onto thermosetting polymer backbones by covalently integrated, to construct self-supported phase change materials with complex three-dimensional geometry. The encapsulation process is macroscopically manifested as a transformation from solid-liquid to solid–solid phase change. Therefore, by imposing restrictions on liquid materials, any ultra-high-precision complex structure can be molded, and mechanical properties are imparted through curing to achieve shape stability, ultimately enables the integration of phase change material encapsulation and casting. The complete process requires no curing agents or organic solvents, and no pollution emissions, making it highly maneuverable and environmentally friendly. Furthermore, we demonstrate the universal high value applications of new materials in different fields. In the ancient thermotherapy experiment, the sample exhibited sustained heat release for 8 min. In the advanced chip cooling simulation, the chip exhibits superior heat dissipation performance, as evidenced by its operating temperature being 50 °C lower than that of natural cooling within 20 min. It confirms the remarkable potential of phase change materials constructed through this approach for thermal energy applications.

Binary nitrate molten salt magnetic microcapsules modified with Fe3O4-functionalized carbon nanotubes for accelerating thermal energy storage

Molten salts are important media for heat transfer and thermal energy storage in concentrated solar power (CSP) system, but it has drawbacks such as poor thermal conductivity and corrosive properties. This study increases the thermal energy utilization rate and expand the range of applications for phase change materials by developing a multifunctional magnetic microcapsule phase change material composed of SiO2@Solar Salt microcapsule and Fe3O4-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs-Fe3O4). The microcapsules have regular spherical core-shell structure and relatively small size, which improves the disadvantage of corrosiveness of molten salt and prolongs their working life. The microcapsule not only shows a good latent heat-storage capability with satisfactory phase-change enthalpies of over 88.6 J/g under an encapsulation efficiency of over 61.6 %, but also exhibits high temperature stability and cycling stability. The encapsulation of SiO2 and introduction of the CNTs-Fe3O4 high thermal conductivity enhancement phase increased the thermal conductivity of the microcapsules by approximately 53.4 % compared with pure nitrate. The microcapsules also possess superparamagnetic characteristics and photothermal conversion characteristics, both of which may be used as an additional method to improve the thermal storage efficiency. As a result, this novel material provides a promising solution for energy collecting, conversion, and storage.

Preferred method and performance evaluation of heterogeneous composite phase change material (CPCM) wallboard in different seasons

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) in building envelopes has been developed in past decades and many strategies have been adopted to improve the heat resistance and capacity performance. However, rare studies focused on optimizing these characteristics of PCM wallboard in different seasons and providing preferred method for selecting the optimal PCMs. This study constructed a heterogeneous wall acting in different seasons and developed a pre-screening method of PCMs based on the analytic hierarchy process. CA-HD/EG with higher thermal conductivity (2.16 W/(m·K)) and lower melting point (25.4 °C) acted as the inner layer, and paraffin/porous silica with lower thermal conductivity (0.37 W/(m·K)) and higher melting point (29.3 °C) acted as the outer layer. Two experimental boxes were built to compare the thermal performance of CPCM and gypsum wallboard. The decrement factor in winter increased by 6.7 %, and the heat storage coefficient in summer increased by 0.97. The thermal comfort duration in winter was extended by 17.9 %, and the thermal load leveling in summer was reduced by 11.5 %. The heating/cooling water supply duration was shortened by 2.5 h, resulting in an energy-saving rate of 13.3 %. Consequently, the CPCM wallboard maintained a better indoor thermal environment with a lower energy consumption.

Phase change material window for dynamic energy flow regulation: Review

The phase change material (PCM) window is a promising technology for enhancing the thermal regulation capabilities of transparent facades by dynamically regulating the energy flow between indoor and outdoor environments. By storing and releasing thermal energy during phase transitions, PCM windows can effectively regulate indoor temperature and reduce heating or cooling loads. This study examines 53 research studies published within the last decade. These studies are analyzed based on geographic distribution, PCM material types, research methods, and performance indices. The PCM windows are categorized according to the PCMs integration measures, which include direct infill to the window cavity, embedding within window frames, and integration with built-in heat exchangers to preheat or precool the vent air. The light, thermal, and energy performances of these innovative PCM windows are summarized and discussed. Moreover, the potential of dynamic designs for PCM windows to enhance the light and thermal regulation abilities through flexible arrangement of PCM components is recognized as promising. However, a comprehensive assessment of their performance and energy-saving potential still need to be fully explored. This review identifies potential challenges and limitations associated with PCM window studies and applications, highlighting the need for future investigation to fully explore the benefits of dynamic designs and renewable energy utilization. These findings provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners seeking to optimize the use of PCM windows in building envelopes.

Study on the Performance of Phase-Change Self-Regulating Permeable Asphalt Pavement

Under low-temperature conditions in winter, asphalt pavement is prone to cracking, icing and other distresses, which affect its safety and comfort. Therefore, by incorporating phase-change materials into asphalt and conducting relevant performance studies, the aim is to alleviate low-temperature distress and regulate road surface temperature and expand the application of phase-change materials in asphalt pavement. We mixed the selected phase-change materials with different dosages into the matrix asphalt to prepare phase-change temperature-regulating asphalt and tested the four basic indicators: road performance, latent heat characteristics, temperature-regulating performance, and rheological properties of phase-change asphalt and its mixture. The research results indicate that with the increase in phase-change material content, the penetration, softening point, ductility, and dynamic viscosity of phase-change high-viscosity asphalt gradually increase. Under the constant temperature test conditions of −2.5 °C and −5 °C, the surface icing speed of asphalt binder specimens mixed with phase-change materials is slower than that of specimens without phase-change materials. Adding phase-change materials can improve the high-temperature and low-temperature PG grading of high-viscosity asphalt, effectively improving its high-temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking performance. According to the temperature regulation test results, phase-change temperature-regulating asphalt has a certain regulating effect on temperature under low-temperature conditions, which can slow down the cooling rate of asphalt, reduce the thermal conductivity of permeable asphalt mixture by more than 50%, increase the temperature regulation rate by more than 30%, and improve the ice-melting and snow-melting ability by more than 20%. Phase-change materials have almost no effect on the porosity of permeable asphalt mixtures and can effectively improve the water stability, low-temperature crack resistance, and antiflying performance of permeable asphalt mixtures. Their Marshall stability and rutting stability decrease, but still meet the requirements of the specifications. Applying phase-change materials to permeable asphalt pavement can automatically adjust the temperature of the pavement, reduce the cooling rate of the asphalt pavement during cooling, alleviate the problem of snow and ice accumulation on the asphalt pavement in winter, and thereby improve the performance of permeable asphalt pavement against freeze–thaw cycles.

Drip molding process of PCM for improving thermal and moisture comfort of thermal protective clothing

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) in thermal protective clothing can effectively adjust the heat transfer through thermal storage, thus providing extra thermal protection to firefighter. However, the incorporation of PCMs resulted in lower thermal and moisture comfort, and greater weight bearing for firefighter. To solve the above deficiencies, a new method (drip molding process) was used to prepare the PCM thermal protective clothing with phase change temperatures (PCTs) of 25 °C and 42 °C. The effects of diameter and interval of droplet on physical and mechanical properties, were analyzed. A dynamic hotplate system was used to calculate total heat loss (THL) for evaluating the thermal and moisture comfort. The results showed that the drip molding process can effectively improve the air permeability and bending performance of the PCM fabrics compared with dry coating process. The weight of dripped fabrics was decreased by 50.99–257.76 g/m2. In addition, the thermal insulation for the dripped fabric systems had a minor change compared to the coated fabric systems (−14.02 %∼16.88 %), while there was a significant decline for the moisture resistance (65.3 %∼89.9 %). The THL for the dripped fabric systems increased by 88.7 %∼182.5 %, indicating that the thermal and moisture comfort of thermal protective clothing was significantly improved by the new method. The findings obtained by the study can be used to engineer thermal protective clothing that provide better wearing comfort for firefighter.

The Effect of Phase Change Materials on the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Concrete Made with Recycled Aggregate

With the world’s population increasing, the issue of energy consumption has become increasingly prominent, particularly during the building operation phase, where substantial energy is required for heating and cooling. Presently, the energy necessary for buildings is sourced mainly from the combustion of fossil fuels, leading to not only energy scarcity but also severe environmental pollution and ecological damage. Furthermore, rapid urbanization has generated a lot of construction and demolition waste. To address these challenges, one promising approach is the incorporation of phase-change materials in recycled aggregate from construction and demolition waste to replace the raw materials of concrete. In this study, the phase-change material suitable for the thermal comfort requirements of buildings was selected and combined with recycled aggregate to replace the natural aggregate in concrete. All the materials used were characterized and three compositions were prepared. From the results, the workability of concrete increased with the phase-change materials added. Regarding water absorption performance, the incorporation of functionalized recycled aggregate presented a small water absorption performance. However, the mechanical performance decreased with the phase-change materials used. This work provides data for the application of phase-change materials in green concrete.

A transient numerical approach for phase change material effect on mixed convection in an open cavity

The effects of heated wall locations on mixed convection flow in a 2-D rectangular open cavity are investigated numerically using ANSYS-Fluent software. The flow is supposed to be a two-dimensional laminar and is regulated by parameters such as Reynolds, Re (100 and 200), and Richardson numbers, Ri (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20). One of the walls is heated uniformly, while the others are adiabatic. The heated wall might be vertical on the inflow and outflow sides or horizontal on the bottom of the cavity. The flow is stable at all Re and Ri values except at Ri = 20 and Re = 100 for bottom heated wall. It is found that using phase change material (PCM) reduces flow variations in the cavity. Further, the mixed convection effects are developed with increased Richardson number. This pushes the recirculating zone upstream and creates an unstable flow behavior. According to the results, the condition that minimized the fluctuations in the flow direction was the application of PCM to the bottom heated wall case. Therefore, thermal control of the flow is most efficient in this condition. The PCM melting rate is quite high for the Re = 200 condition as there is higher convective heat transfer in all cases than the Re = 100. Dimensionless wall temperature values with PCM case are lower than without PCM case for all conditions. The decrease of this parameter in bottom heated case is about 18.8% while 43.1% and 56.3% for left and right heated case, respectively. Additionally, the highest average Nusselt number is found for the bottom heated case for the same Re, with and without PCM cases.

Experimental investigation on the efficiency of the phase change materials for enhancing the thermal performance of energy piles in sandy soils

The application of phase change materials (PCMs) is an efficient technique for enhancing the thermal properties of energy piles. In most previously applied studies, paraffin-based materials with low melting temperatures were implemented as PCM to improve energy piles in cold climate conditions. This study explored the efficiency of using lauric acid as a PCM in energy piles by performing small-scale physical model tests under warm climate conditions. Two concrete energy piles with the same diameter of 58 mm and length of 830 mm with PCM and without it were placed in the center of a tank filled with silica sand. The energy piles went through a series of heating tests with the loading temperature (corresponding to the initial temperature) of +10 to +40 °C. To analyze the effect of implementing lauric acid on temperature, and pore water pressure (PWP) distributions in sandy soil, digital thermometers and pore pressure transducers were used in different parts of the inlet side of the model. Results were compared between the two piles with and without PCM in dry and saturated media. The achieved results demonstrate that by adding 1.5% of lauric acid to the energy pile, temperature changes along the pile can be reduced up to 13% in the dry and 10% in the saturated condition. Also, the temperature changes in the soil media could be decreased by up to 5% in dry media. Additionally, the induced excess pore water pressure around the modified energy pile with lauric acid was about 2.14 times lower than the conventional pile. Besides the reduction in the temperature and PWP, the extracted power had an upward trend by increasing the thermal loading. The results revealed that due to the phase transition process, applying a small amount of lauric acid in the energy piles reduces the temperature fluctuations-related responses and could improve the thermal performance of the heat exchange system.