Skip to content
2000
Volume 18, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2212-7976
  • E-ISSN: 1874-477X

Abstract

Background

Incorporating PCMs (Phase Change Materials) into the building envelope can achieve the purpose of regulating heat transfer and enhancing indoor comfort. In recent years, lots of patents for new phase change concretes have been proposed and applied to the envelope.

Objective

This study aimed to explore the optimum phase change temperature and installation position of PCM by optimizing different concrete blocks to improve the thermal behavior of concrete compound self-insulating blocks.

Methods

Firstly, based on the existing patents, five new types of phase change self-insulating blocks were proposed. The thermal insulation performance of different blocks was tested using ANSYS simulation. Then, the feasibility of using EnergyPlus to simulate the thermal environment of the room was verified by taking a summer south-facing room in Hohhot City as a research object. Finally, 13 phase-change block types containing 4 phase-change temperatures and 3 PCM installation locations were designed for further testing.

Results

A three-row staggered perforated block was selected, and the heat transmission coefficient of the masonry wall was 0.437 W/(m2·K). The optimal phase change temperatures of outdoor, medium-temperature, high-temperature, and low-temperature periods in summer, were 24.0°C, 30.0°C, and 28.0°C, respectively. The optimal phase change temperature in the whole summer was 26.0~ 28.0°C, and the best phase transition layer location was the inner hole of the block.

Conclusion

The PCM mounting position has a greater effect on room temperature than the PCM phase change temperature. The study results are of great significance for stabilizing room temperature and building energy conservation.

© 2025 Bentham Science Publishers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/meng/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
2024-04-09
2025-11-02

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/meng/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. RathoreP.K.S. GuptaN.K. YadavD. ShuklaS.K. KaulS. Thermal performance of the building envelope integrated with phase change material for thermal energy storage: An updated review.Sustain Cities Soc.20227910369010.1016/j.scs.2022.103690
     [Google Scholar]
  2. HaoZ. XieJ. ZhangX. LiuJ. Simplified model of heat load prediction and its application in estimation of building envelope thermal performance.Buildings2023134107610.3390/buildings13041076
     [Google Scholar]
  3. MengjieS. ShangwenL. HosseiniS.H. XiaoyanL. ZhihuaW. An experimental study on the effect of horizontal cold plate surface temperature on frosting characteristics under natural convection.Appl. Therm. Eng.202221111841610.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.118416
     [Google Scholar]
  4. LiuY. YangL. HouL. LiS. YangJ. WangQ. A porous building approach for modelling flow and heat transfer around and inside an isolated building on night ventilation and thermal mass.Energy20171411914192710.1016/j.energy.2017.11.137
     [Google Scholar]
  5. KishoreR.A. BianchiM.V.A. BootenC. VidalJ. JacksonR. Enhancing building energy performance by effectively using phase change material and dynamic insulation in walls.Appl. Energy202128311630610.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116306
     [Google Scholar]
  6. HuW. XiaY. LiF. YuH. HouC. MengX. Effect of the filling position and filling rate of the insulation material on the insulation performance of the hollow block.Case Stud. Therm. Eng.20212610102310.1016/j.csite.2021.101023
     [Google Scholar]
  7. SongM. DangC. HigashiT. HiharaE. Review of experimental data associated with the solidification characteristics of water droplets on a cold plate surface at the early frosting stage.Energy Build.202022311010310.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110103
     [Google Scholar]
  8. HuW.T. HuangY. YuanM. ZhangJ.Y. AlekhinV.N. Optimization of the thermal performance of self-insulation hollow blocks under conditions of cold climate and intermittent running of air-conditioning.Case Stud. Therm. Eng.20223510214810.1016/j.csite.2022.102148
     [Google Scholar]
  9. ZhangH.Z. ZhengJ.L. Optimization of recycled concrete self-insulation hollow block pass.Eng J Wuhan Univ2015486799804
     [Google Scholar]
  10. JiangZ.P. ZhangM.L. ChenC. Research on ceramsite concrete light weight self-insulating block.Concrete201531412123126
     [Google Scholar]
  11. SoaresN CostaJJ GasparAR Review of passive PCM latent heat thermal energy storage systems towards buildings’ energy efficiency.Energy and buildings20135982103
     [Google Scholar]
  12. JunaidM.F. RehmanZ. ČekonM. Inorganic phase change materials in thermal energy storage: A review on perspectives and technological advances in building applications.Energy Build.202125211144310.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111443
     [Google Scholar]
  13. TanP. LindbergP. EichlerK. LöverydP. JohanssonP. KalagasidisA.S. Thermal energy storage using phase change materials: Techno-economic evaluation of a cold storage installation in an office building.Appl. Energy202027611543310.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115433
     [Google Scholar]
  14. SouayfaneF. FardounF. BiwoleP.H. Phase change materials (PCM) for cooling applications in buildings: A review.Energy Build.2016129396431
     [Google Scholar]
  15. PanchabikesanK. SwamiM.V. RamalingamV. HaghighatF. Influence of PCM thermal conductivity and HTF velocity during solidification of PCM through the free cooling concept: A parametric study.J. Energy Storage201921485710.1016/j.est.2018.11.005
     [Google Scholar]
  16. VenkitarajK.P. SureshS. Experimental study on thermal and chemical stability of pentaerythritol blended with low melting alloy as possible PCM for latent heat storage.Exp. Therm. Fluid Sci.201788738710.1016/j.expthermflusci.2017.05.018
     [Google Scholar]
  17. MagendranS.S. KhanF.S.A. MubarakN.M. Synthesis of organic phase change materials (PCM) for energy storage applications: A review.Nano-Struct Nano-Objects20192010039910.1016/j.nanoso.2019.100399
     [Google Scholar]
  18. WangH. LuW. WuZ. ZhangG. Parametric analysis of applying PCM wallboards for energy saving in high-rise lightweight buildings in Shanghai.Renew. Energy20201451526410.1016/j.renene.2019.05.124
     [Google Scholar]
  19. LiC. YuH. SongY. LiuZ. Novel hybrid microencapsulated phase change materials incorporated wallboard for year-long year energy storage in buildings.Energy Convers. Manage.2019183379180210.1016/j.enconman.2019.01.036
     [Google Scholar]
  20. LiuZ. HouJ. HuangY. ZhangJ. MengX. DewanckerB.J. Influence of phase change material (PCM) parameters on the thermal performance of lightweight building walls with different thermal resistances.Case Stud. Therm. Eng.20223110184410.1016/j.csite.2022.101844
     [Google Scholar]
  21. ZhangL. SongM. DengS. ShenJ. DangC. Frosting mechanism and behaviors on surfaces with simple geometries: A state-of-the-art literature review.Appl. Therm. Eng.202221511898410.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.118984
     [Google Scholar]
  22. MaoQ. YangM. Study on heat transfer performance of a solar double-slope PCM glazed roof with different physical parameters.Energy Build.202022311014110.1016/j.enbuild.2020.110141
     [Google Scholar]
  23. BhamareD.K. RathodM.K. BanerjeeJ. Numerical model for evaluating thermal performance of residential building roof integrated with inclined phase change material (PCM) layer.J. Build. Eng.20202810101810.1016/j.jobe.2019.101018
     [Google Scholar]
  24. ZhangY.M. MaG.Y. WuG.Q. LiuS.L. GaoL. Thermally adaptive walls for buildings applications: A state of the art review.Energy and Buildings2022112314
     [Google Scholar]
  25. PasupathyA. VelrajR. SeenirajR.V. Phase change material-based building architecture for thermal management in residential and commercial establishments.Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev.2008121396410.1016/j.rser.2006.05.010
     [Google Scholar]
  26. AlyasiriY.Q. SzabóM. Effect of encapsulation area on the thermal periormance of pcm incorporated concrete bricks: A case study under irag summer conditionslyl.Case Studies Construction Mater202115100686
     [Google Scholar]
  27. GencelO. SarıA. KaplanG. Properties of eco-friendly foam concrete containing PCM impregnated rice husk ash for thermal management of buildings.J. Build. Eng.20225810496110.1016/j.jobe.2022.104961
     [Google Scholar]
  28. Abbasi HattanH. MadhkhanM. MaraniA. Thermal and mechanical properties of building external walls plastered with cement mortar incorporating shape-stabilized phase change materials (SSPCMs).Constr. Build. Mater.202127012138510.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121385
     [Google Scholar]
  29. WiS. YangS. Yeol YunB. KimS. Exterior insulation finishing system using cementitious plaster/microencapsulated phase change material for improving the building thermal storage performance.Constr. Build. Mater.202129912393210.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.123932
     [Google Scholar]
  30. AeleneiL. PereiraR. GonçalvesH. AthienitisA. Thermal performance of a hybrid BIPV-PCM: Modeling,design and experimental investigation.Energy Procedia201448147448310.1016/j.egypro.2014.02.056
     [Google Scholar]
  31. WangX. YuH. LiL. ZhaoM. Experimental assessment on a kind of composite wall incorporated with shape-stabilized phase change materials (SSPCMs).Energy Build.2016128956757410.1016/j.enbuild.2016.07.031
     [Google Scholar]
  32. ZhanC.J. WangZ.M. ZhangG.J. Thermal performance analysis on three- layer glass window containing silica aerogel and phase change material.J Therm Sci Technol2021202195199
     [Google Scholar]
  33. LiuC.Y. WuY.Y. LiD. LiuX.Y. ZhongW.G. Optical and thermal properties analysis model of double-glazed window filled with PCM.J Therm Sci Technol2017166439443
     [Google Scholar]
  34. MahdaouiM. HamdaouiS. Ait MsaadA. Building bricks with phase change material (PCM): Thermal performances.Constr. Build. Mater.202126912131510.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121315
     [Google Scholar]
  35. TabaresP.C. ChristensenC. BianchM.V.A. Validation methodology to allow simulated peak reduction and energy performance analysis of residential building envelope with phase change materials: Preprint.ASHRAE Trans.20121189097
     [Google Scholar]
  36. SilvaT. VicenteR. SoaresN. FerreiraV. Experimental testing and numerical modelling of masonry wall solution with PCM incorporation: A passive construction solution.Energy Build.201249623524510.1016/j.enbuild.2012.02.010
     [Google Scholar]
  37. YuN. ChenC. MahkamovK. Selection of a phase change material and its thickness for application in walls of buildings for solar-assisted steam curing of precast concrete.Renew. Energy202015080882010.1016/j.renene.2019.12.130
     [Google Scholar]
  38. SaafiK. DaouasN. Energy and cost efficiency of phase change materials integrated in building envelopes under Tunisia Mediterranean climate.Energy201918711598710.1016/j.energy.2019.115987
     [Google Scholar]
  39. KimS JeongSG ChangSJ WiSH 2016
  40. ChoiD.U. KimY.H. LeeC.Y. LimM.K. Light weight concrete using phase change material and manufacturing method thereof.KR Patent 201401416892014
  41. MarkH. GregR. AharonE. Latent heat solutions building materials and patent construction components containing phase change materials.US Patent 165370642019
  42. TaoX ZhuK LiuH Phase-change particle aggregate-composite assembly-type lightweight wall and preparation method.WO Patent 2016CN1128672016
  43. WangS.C. JiangH. HuangL.Y. Method for preparing temperature-controlling and energy-saving thermal insulation material by using waste concrete.AU Patent 20201007652020
  44. WeiY. WangS. DangH. LiuP. Climate adaptability analysis on the shape of outpatient buildings for different climate zones in china based on low-energy target.Atmosphere20221312212110.3390/atmos13122121
     [Google Scholar]
  45. ZengC. LiuS. ShuklaA. Adaptability research on phase change materials based technologies in China.Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev.20177314515810.1016/j.rser.2017.01.117
     [Google Scholar]
  46. HuangP. CopertaroB. ZhangX. A review of data centers as prosumers in district energy systems: Renewable energy integration and waste heat reuse for district heating.Appl. Energy202025811410910.1016/j.apenergy.2019.114109
     [Google Scholar]
  47. LiL. YuH. LiuR. Research on composite-phase change materials (PCMs)-bricks in the west wall of room-scale cubicle: Mid-season and summer day cases.Build. Environ.201712349450310.1016/j.buildenv.2017.07.019
     [Google Scholar]
  48. MarriG.K. BalajiC. Liquid crystal thermography based study on melting dynamics and the effect of mushy zone constant in numerical modeling of melting of a phase change material.Int. J. Therm. Sci.202217110717610.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2021.107176
     [Google Scholar]
  49. ZhangL. SongM. ChaoC.Y.H. ShenJ. ShenJ. An experimental study on the dynamic frosting characteristics on the edge zone of a horizontal copper plate under forced convection.Int. J. Heat Mass Transf.202320012354110.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2022.123541
     [Google Scholar]
  50. YangR. LiD. SalazarS.L. RaoZ. ArıcıM. WeiW. Photothermal properties and photothermal conversion performance of nano-enhanced paraffin as a phase change thermal energy storage material.Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells202121921911079210.1016/j.solmat.2020.110792
     [Google Scholar]
  51. LiD. WuY. WangB. LiuC. ArıcıM. Optical and thermal performance of glazing units containing PCM in buildings: A review.Constr. Build. Mater.202023323311732710.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117327
     [Google Scholar]
  52. NeeperD.A. Thermal dynamics of wallboard with latent heat storage.Sol. Energy200068539340310.1016/S0038‑092X(00)00012‑8
     [Google Scholar]
  53. KuznikF. VirgoneJ. JohannesK. Development and validation of a new TRNSYS type for the simulation of external building walls containing PCM.Energy Build.20104271004100910.1016/j.enbuild.2010.01.012
     [Google Scholar]
  54. JiaJ. LiuB. MaL. WangH. LiD. WangY. Energy saving performance optimization and regional adaptability of prefabricated buildings with PCM in different climates.Case Stud. Therm. Eng.20212610116410.1016/j.csite.2021.101164
     [Google Scholar]
  55. SunX. ZhangQ. MedinaM.A. LeeK.O. Energy and economic analysis of a building enclosure outfitted with a phase change material board (PCMB).Energy Convers. Manage.201483737810.1016/j.enconman.2014.03.035
     [Google Scholar]
  56. XuX. ZhangY. LinK. DiH. YangR. Modeling and simulation on the thermal performance of shape-stabilized phase change material floor used in passive solar buildings.Energy Build.200537101084109110.1016/j.enbuild.2004.12.016
     [Google Scholar]
  57. KimT. AhnS. LeighS.B. Energy consumption analysis of a residential building with phase change materials under various cooling and heating conditions.Indoor Built Environ.2014235730741[J].10.1177/1420326X13481990
     [Google Scholar]
  58. LeeK.O. MedinaM.A. RaithE. SunX. Assessing the integration of a thin phase change material (PCM) layer in a residential building wall for heat transfer reduction and management.Appl. Energy201513769970610.1016/j.apenergy.2014.09.003
     [Google Scholar]
  59. ChenC. GuoH. LiuY. YueH. WangC. A new kind of phase change material (PCM) for energy-storing wallboard.Energy Build.200840588289010.1016/j.enbuild.2007.07.002
     [Google Scholar]
  60. LiD. ZhengY. LiuC. WuG. Numerical analysis on thermal performance of roof contained PCM of a single residential building.Energy Convers. Manage.201510014715610.1016/j.enconman.2015.05.014
     [Google Scholar]
  61. KantK. ShuklaA. SharmaA. Heat transfer studies of building brick containing phase change materials.Sol. Energy20171551233124210.1016/j.solener.2017.07.072
     [Google Scholar]
  62. SaffariM. de GraciaA. FernándezC. CabezaL.F. Simulation-based optimization of PCM melting temperature to improve the energy performance in buildings.Appl. Energy201720242043410.1016/j.apenergy.2017.05.107
     [Google Scholar]
  63. MobediM. HoomanK. TaoW.Q. Solid-liquid thermal energy storage: Modeling and applications.CRC Press202210.1201/9781003213260
     [Google Scholar]
  64. FumoN. MagoP. LuckR. Methodology to estimate building energy consumption using EnergyPlus Benchmark Models.Energy Build.201042122331233710.1016/j.enbuild.2010.07.027
     [Google Scholar]
  65. BrunoR. FerraroV. BevilacquaP. ArcuriN. On the assessment of the heat transfer coefficients on building components: A comparison between modeled and experimental data.Build. Environ.202221610899510.1016/j.buildenv.2022.108995
     [Google Scholar]
  66. YangY. ChenZ. Vogt WuT. SempeyA. BatsaleJ-C. In situ methodology for thermal performance evaluation of building wall: A review.Int. J. Therm. Sci.202218110768710.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2022.107687
     [Google Scholar]
  67. WangX. LiW. LuoZ. WangK. ShahS.P. A critical review on phase change materials (PCM) for sustainable and energy efficient building: Design, characteristic, performance and application.Energy Build.202226011192310.1016/j.enbuild.2022.111923
     [Google Scholar]
  68. PorsaniG.B. CasqueroM.N. TruebaJ.B.E. Empirical evaluation of EnergyPlus infiltration model for a case study in a high-rise residential building.Energy Build.2023113322
     [Google Scholar]
  69. Bastos PorsaniG. Fernández-Vigil IglesiasM. Echeverría TruebaJ.B. Fernández BanderaC. Infiltration models in energyplus: Empirical assessment for a case study in a seven-story building.Buildings202414242110.3390/buildings14020421
     [Google Scholar]
  70. GuoW. LiangS. HeY. LiW. XiongB. WenH. Combining EnergyPlus and CFD to predict and optimize the passive ventilation mode of medium-sized gymnasium in subtropical regions.Build. Environ.202220710842010.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108420
     [Google Scholar]
  71. YangJ. FuH. QinM. Evaluation of different thermal models in EnergyPlus for calculating moisture effects on building energy consumption in different climate conditions.Procedia Eng.20151211635164110.1016/j.proeng.2015.09.194
     [Google Scholar]
  72. ZhangY. TennakoonT. ChanY.H. Energy consumption modelling of a passive hybrid system for office buildings in different climates.Energy202223912191410.1016/j.energy.2021.121914
     [Google Scholar]
  73. Na TranL. GaoW. GeJ. Sensitivity analysis of household factors and energy consumption in residential houses: A multi-dimensional hybrid approach using energy monitoring and modeling.Energy Build.202123911086410.1016/j.enbuild.2021.110864
     [Google Scholar]
  74. ZhangW.W. ChengJ.J. ZhangY. Study on the annual application effect of double-layer phase change material blocks.Acta Solar Energy201940615191526
     [Google Scholar]
  75. ZhangY. ZhuangS. WangQ. HeJ. Experimental research on the thermal performance of composite PCM hollow block walls and validation of phase transition heat transfer model.Adv. Mater. Sci. Eng.20162016611510.1155/2016/6359414
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/meng/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
Loading
Optimal Design and Simulation Analysis of Phase Change Material Composite Self-Insulating Block in a Typical Cold Region City of China in Summer
Recent Patents on Mechanical Engineering 18, 41 (2025); https://doi.org/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
/content/journals/meng/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
/content/journals/meng/10.2174/0122127976280085240329184613
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Research Article
Keyword(s): heat transfer; installation position of PCMs; Phase change material; phase change temperature; self-insulating blocks; thermal performance

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test