Dynamics of Melting Process in Phase Change Material Windows Determined Based on Direct Light Transmission

Dariusz Heim, Michał Krempski-Smejda, Pablo Roberto Dellicompagni, Dominika Knera, Anna Wieprzkowicz and Judith Franco
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Dariusz Heim: Department of Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 91-164 Lodz, Poland
Michał Krempski-Smejda: Department of Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 91-164 Lodz, Poland
Pablo Roberto Dellicompagni: Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional (INENCO), 5150 Bolivia Av., Salta 4400, Argentina
Dominika Knera: Department of Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 91-164 Lodz, Poland
Anna Wieprzkowicz: Department of Environmental Engineering, Lodz University of Technology, ul. Wolczanska 213, 91-164 Lodz, Poland
Judith Franco: Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía No Convencional (INENCO), 5150 Bolivia Av., Salta 4400, Argentina

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 3, 1-13

Abstract: Detailed analyses of melting processes in phase change material (PCM) glazing units, changes of direct transmittance as well as investigation of refraction index were provided based on laboratory measurements. The main goal of the study was to determine the direct light transmittance versus time under constant solar radiation intensity and stable temperature of the surrounding air. The experiment was conducted on a triple glazed unit with one cavity filled with a paraffin RT21HC as a PCM. The unit was installed in a special holder and exposed to the radiation from an artificial sun. The vertical illuminance was measured by luxmeters and compared with a reference case to determine the direct light transmittance. The transmittance was determined for the whole period of measurements when some specific artefacts were identified and theoretically explained based on values of refractive indexes for paraffins in the solid and liquid state, and for a glass. The melting process of a PCM in a glass unit was identified as a complex one, with interreflections and refraction of light on semi layers characterized by a different physical states (solid, liquid or mushy). These optical phenomena caused nonuniformity in light transmittance, especially when the PCM is in a mushy state. It was revealed that light transmittance versus temperature cannot be treated as a linear function.

Keywords: triple glazing; solar radiation; energy storage; optical properties; refractive index (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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