Thermal Performance Analysis of Multi-Phase Change Material Layer-Integrated Building Roofs for Energy Efficiency in Built-Environment

K. S. Reddy, Vijay Mudgal and Tapas K. Mallick
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K. S. Reddy: Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
Vijay Mudgal: Heat Transfer and Thermal Power Laboratory, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, India
Tapas K. Mallick: Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK

Energies, 2017, vol. 10, issue 9, 1-15

Abstract: Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) plays a significant role in maintaining thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in a building because of its ability to absorb/release heat within small temperature variations. In this paper, the thermal performance of roofs has been investigated based on various factors like the integration of a single PCM layer, integration of a double PCM layer, the thickness of the PCM, phase transition temperature and heat of fusion of the PCM. The analysis shows that integration of a single PCM layer of different thickness and phase transition temperature and heat of fusion in roof structures is unable to maintain a comfortable constant temperature inside the building due to incomplete solidification and melting of the PCM. However, the analysis shows that with multi-PCM layers of appropriate thickness it is possible to maintain a constant comfortable temperature of about 28 °C in the building throughout the day in Chennai, India. The analysis also shows that there is reduction in heat gain by 17 to 26% for a single PCM layered roof and 25 to 36% for a double PCM layered roof compared to the roof without PCM layer for the different months of the year.

Keywords: energy storage; phase change material (PCM); PCM thickness; roof layer (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: 2017
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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