Theoretical Analysis of a Novel Rock Wall to Limit Heating Demands in Historical Buildings

Roberto Bruno () and Antonio Cristaudo
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Roberto Bruno: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy
Antonio Cristaudo: Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, Italy

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-20

Abstract: In the near future, the building sector will continue to absorb the greatest share of primary energy worldwide. It is necessary to find innovative solutions that promote energy efficiency through renovation measures, especially in historical buildings, for which refurbishment is constrained by several issues. In this study, we propose a novel Trombe Wall configuration that is easily integrable and based on a rock wall made of caged stone to use as a thermal accumulator. The system was investigated preliminarily using a transient Finite Difference Method (FDM) code to analyse the temperature field inside the rock wall. Successively, FDM results were employed as input data in TRNSYS simulations to determine the savings achievable in thermal heating requirements. The results demonstrated that the proposed solution, in the considered climate and on a reference historic building, can produce monthly heating savings varying between 26% and 85%. So, the rock wall results in a reliable solution for buildings in which refurbishment is difficult, allowing for preserving aesthetic features and improving energy efficiency by rationally using solar radiation.

Keywords: historical buildings; renovation intervention; rock wall; wall thermal storage; FDM analysis; TRNSYS simulations (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: 2024
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