CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings

Miguel A. Gómez, Miguel A. Álvarez Feijoo, Roberto Comesaña, Pablo Eguía, José L. Míguez and Jacobo Porteiro
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Miguel A. Gómez: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
Miguel A. Álvarez Feijoo: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
Roberto Comesaña: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
Pablo Eguía: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
José L. Míguez: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
Jacobo Porteiro: Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain

Energies, 2012, vol. 5, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: In this work, a CFD-based model is proposed to analyse the effect of phase change materials (PCMs) on the thermal behaviour of the walls of a cubicle exposed to the environment and on the resistance of the walls to climate changes. The effect of several days of exposure to the environment was simulated using the proposed method. The results of the simulation are compared with experimental data to contrast the models. The effects of exposure on the same days were simulated for several walls of a cubicle made of a mixture of concrete and PCM. The results show that the PCM stabilizes temperatures within the cubicle and decreases energy consumption of refrigeration systems.

Keywords: CFD simulation; thermal analysis; PCM; heat storage; concrete walls (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: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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