Numerical Simulation of a Novel Dual Layered Phase Change Material Brick Wall for Human Comfort in Hot and Cold Climatic Conditions

Atiq Ur Rehman, Shakil R. Sheikh, Zareena Kausar and Sarah J. McCormack
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Atiq Ur Rehman: Department of Mechatronics and Bio-Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Air University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Shakil R. Sheikh: Department of Mechatronics and Bio-Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Air University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Zareena Kausar: Department of Mechatronics and Bio-Medical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Air University, Islamabad 44000, Pakistan
Sarah J. McCormack: Department of Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering, School of Engineering, Trinity College, D02 PN40 Dublin, Ireland

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 13, 1-19

Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) have a large number of applications for thermal energy storage (TES) and temperature reduction in buildings due to their thermal characteristics and latent heat storage capabilities. The thermal mass of typical brick walls can be substantially increased using a suitable PCM primarily based on phase change temperature and heat of fusion for different weather conditions in summer and winter. This study proposed a novel dual-layer PCM configuration for brick walls to maintain human comfort for hot and cold climatic conditions in Islamabad, Pakistan. Numerical simulations were performed using Ansys Fluent for dual PCMs layered within a brick wall for June and January with melting temperatures of 29 °C and 13 °C. This study examined and discussed the charging and discharging cycles of PCMs over an extended period (one month) to establish whether the efficacy of PCMs is hindered due to difficulties in discharging. The results show that the combined use of both PCMs stated above provides better human comfort with reduced energy requirements in Islamabad throughout the year than using a single PCM (29 °C) for summer or winter (13 °C) alone.

Keywords: phase change material (PCM); thermal energy storage (TES); phase change simulations; CFD; Ansys; summer and winter; latent heat; buildings (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 (4)

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