Climate-Based Analysis for the Potential Use of Coconut Oil as Phase Change Material in Buildings

Cibele Eller, Mohamad Rida, Katharina Boudier, Caio Otoni, Gabriela Celani, Lucila Labaki and Sabine Hoffmann
Additional contact information
Cibele Eller: Department of Architecture and Construction, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Saturnino de Brito, 224, Campinas 13083-889, SP, Brazil
Mohamad Rida: Department of Civil Engineering, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Gebäude 14, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
Katharina Boudier: Department of Civil Engineering, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Gebäude 14, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany
Caio Otoni: Institute of Chemistry, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), P.O. Box 6154, Campinas 13083-970, SP, Brazil
Gabriela Celani: Department of Architecture and Construction, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Saturnino de Brito, 224, Campinas 13083-889, SP, Brazil
Lucila Labaki: Department of Architecture and Construction, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Rua Saturnino de Brito, 224, Campinas 13083-889, SP, Brazil
Sabine Hoffmann: Department of Civil Engineering, Technische Universität Kaiserslautern, Gebäude 14, Paul-Ehrlich-Straße, 67663 Kaiserslautern, Germany

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 19, 1-20

Abstract: One of the most efficient measures to reduce energy consumption in buildings is using passive thermal comfort strategies. This paper shows the potential of coconut oil as a bio-based phase change material (PCM) incorporated into construction components to improve the thermal performance of buildings for several climates, due to its environmental advantages, wide availability, and economic feasibility. The thermophysical properties of coconut oil were determined through differential scanning calorimetry. Numerical simulations were conducted in ESP-r, comparing an office space with a gypsum ceiling to one with coconut oil as PCM for 12 climate types in the Köppen–Geiger classification. The results show that coconut oil is a suitable PCM for construction applications under tropical and subtropical climates. This PCM can provide year-round benefits for these climates, even though a higher melting point is needed for optimum performance during hotter months. The highest demand reduction of 32% and a maximum temperature reduction of 3.7 °C were found in Mansa, Zambia (Cwa climate). The best results occur when average outdoor temperatures are within the temperature range of phase change. The higher the diurnal temperature range, the better the results. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of coconut oil in terms of its properties and potential for application in the building sector as PCM.

Keywords: phase change material; coconut oil; climate; thermal performance; building simulation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (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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