Clathrate Hydrates for Thermal Energy Storage in Buildings: Overview of Proper Hydrate-Forming Compounds

Beatrice Castellani, Elena Morini, Mirko Filipponi, Andrea Nicolini, Massimo Palombo, Franco Cotana and Federico Rossi
Additional contact information
Beatrice Castellani: IPASS, Engineering for Environment and Sustainable Development, Via G. Guerra, Perugia 06127, Italy
Elena Morini: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy
Mirko Filipponi: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy
Andrea Nicolini: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy
Massimo Palombo: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy
Franco Cotana: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy
Federico Rossi: CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Center on Pollution and Environment "M. Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti, Perugia 06125, Italy

Sustainability, 2014, vol. 6, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: Increasing energy costs are at the origin of the great progress in the field of phase change materials (PCMs). The present work aims at studying the application of clathrate hydrates as PCMs in buildings. Clathrate hydrates are crystalline structures in which guest molecules are enclosed in the crystal lattice of water molecules. Clathrate hydrates can form also at ambient pressure and present a high latent heat, and for this reason, they are good candidates for being used as PCMs. The parameter that makes a PCM suitable to be used in buildings is, first of all, a melting temperature at about 25 °C. The paper provides an overview of groups of clathrate hydrates, whose physical and chemical characteristics could meet the requirements needed for their application in buildings. Simulations with a dynamic building simulation tool are carried out to evaluate the performance of clathrate hydrates in enhancing thermal comfort through the moderation of summer temperature swings and, therefore, in reducing energy consumption. Simulations suggest that clathrate hydrates have a potential in terms of improvement of indoor thermal comfort and a reduction of energy consumption for cooling. Cooling effects of 0.5 °C and reduced overheating hours of up to 1.1% are predicted.

Keywords: clathrate hydrates; phase change materials; building simulation; thermal storage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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