Enhancing Building Thermal Performance with Active PCM Walls

Energy efficiency in buildings is a critical research priority as global demand for cooling and heating continues to rise. This study focuses on improving building envelope systems by integrating phase change materials (PCMs) with regenerative water flow. While PCMs are known for their latent heat storage capacity that helps reduce peak thermal loads, their ability to lower average loads remains limited. To overcome this drawback, the research explores an active cooling strategy where PCMs are regenerated through controlled water circulation, leading to significant thermal performance enhancement.

Role of PCM in Thermal Load Management

PCMs are widely recognized for their ability to absorb and release heat during phase transitions, making them suitable for moderating indoor temperature fluctuations. However, when compared to conventional insulation of identical thermal resistance, PCMs alone do not significantly improve average cooling loads. This limitation highlights the necessity of innovative methods such as active regeneration to maximize PCM effectiveness in building design and performance optimization.

Active Regeneration with Water Flow

The introduction of regenerative water flow is a key advancement in this study, as it actively restores the PCM’s cooling capacity during specific hours. By utilizing ambient water as a cooling medium, the system enables multiple charging and discharging cycles within the same day, enhancing both peak and average load reduction. The findings show substantial improvements across all orientations, proving the practical value of this approach in real-world building applications.

Impact of Wall Orientation and PCM Placement

Wall orientation and PCM placement were found to significantly influence cooling load reduction. The research highlights that placing PCM as the innermost wall layer is the most effective configuration, particularly for south-facing walls where cooling load reductions reached up to 65%. Orientation-specific results emphasize that architectural design decisions, such as wall layering and orientation, must be carefully considered to maximize thermal efficiency in buildings.

Optimal Parameters for Performance Enhancement

The study identifies critical operating conditions that determine the system’s effectiveness, including PCM melting temperature and water flow rate. For low flow rates of 0.01 kg/s·m², a melting temperature of 28 °C was found optimal, whereas higher flow rates of 0.5 kg/s·m² performed best with a PCM melting temperature of 25 °C. Additionally, an optimal flow rate of 0.01 kg/s·m² for west-facing walls resulted in a peak load reduction of up to 45%. These findings provide valuable insights for tailoring PCM-water systems to diverse climatic conditions.

Implications for Sustainable Building Design

This research demonstrates that combining PCMs with active water flow regeneration offers a significant pathway toward energy-efficient and sustainable building design. By reducing both peak and average cooling loads, this hybrid approach not only improves indoor comfort but also decreases reliance on mechanical cooling systems, ultimately lowering energy consumption. The insights generated can inform future architectural and engineering practices focused on resilient, sustainable, and climate-responsive buildings.

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