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A study on the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in combination with a natural cold source for space cooling in telecommunications base stations (TBSs) in China

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  • Sun, Xiaoqin
  • Zhang, Quan
  • Medina, Mario A.
  • Liu, Yingjun
  • Liao, Shuguang

Abstract

A technology that combines phase change materials (PCMs) with a natural cold source is proposed to reduce the space cooling energy of telecommunications base stations (TBSs). First, a mathematical model was developed to assess this technology. Then, a full-scale prototype, named latent heat storage unit (LHSU), was designed, built, and tested in an enthalpy difference laboratory. The energy efficiency ratio (EER) and the adjusted energy efficiency ratio (AEER) were used as the criteria to evaluate the performance of this unit and to compare it with conventional air conditioners. LHSU performance simulations were carried out based on the unit’s operation in TBSs located in five Chinese cities with different climates. The simulated average annual AEER was 14.04W/W, which is considerably higher than the limiting value of 3.2W/W for air conditioners with a cooling capacity of less than 4500W. The estimated average energy savings potential of the LHSU was 50%. Based on these results, it was concluded that LHSUs could be used in TBSs to reduce a significant amount of their energy consumed in space cooling.

Suggested Citation

  • Sun, Xiaoqin & Zhang, Quan & Medina, Mario A. & Liu, Yingjun & Liao, Shuguang, 2014. "A study on the use of phase change materials (PCMs) in combination with a natural cold source for space cooling in telecommunications base stations (TBSs) in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 95-103.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:117:y:2014:i:c:p:95-103
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.12.010
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Xinghui Zhang & Qili Shi & Lingai Luo & Yilin Fan & Qian Wang & Guanguan Jia, 2021. "Research Progress on the Phase Change Materials for Cold Thermal Energy Storage," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-46, December.
    8. Jia, Jie & Lee, W.L., 2015. "Experimental investigations on using phase change material for performance improvement of storage-enhanced heat recovery room air-conditioner," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 1394-1403.
    9. Sun, Xiaoqin & Zhang, Quan & Medina, Mario A. & Lee, Kyoung Ok, 2016. "Experimental observations on the heat transfer enhancement caused by natural convection during melting of solid–liquid phase change materials (PCMs)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 1453-1461.
    10. Srikanth, R. & Nemani, Pavan & Balaji, C., 2015. "Multi-objective geometric optimization of a PCM based matrix type composite heat sink," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 703-714.
    11. Sun, Xiaoqin & Zhang, Quan & Medina, Mario A. & Liao, Shuguang, 2015. "Performance of a free-air cooling system for telecommunications base stations using phase change materials (PCMs): In-situ tests," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 325-334.
    12. Habibi Khalaj, Ali & Scherer, Thomas & K. Halgamuge, Saman, 2016. "Energy, environmental and economical saving potential of data centers with various economizers across Australia," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 1528-1549.
    13. Yang, Tian-Jian & Zhang, Yue-Jun & Tang, Su & Zhang, Jing, 2016. "How to assess and manage energy performance of numerous telecommunication base stations: Evidence in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 436-445.
    14. Liu, Lijun & Zhang, Quan & Zou, Sikai & Du, Sheng & Meng, Fanxi, 2023. "Experimental study on dynamic thermal characteristics of novel thermosyphon with latent thermal energy storage condenser," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    15. Xia, Mingzhu & Yuan, Yanping & Zhao, Xudong & Cao, Xiaoling & Tang, Zhonghua, 2016. "Cold storage condensation heat recovery system with a novel composite phase change material," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 259-268.
    16. Chen, Xiaoming & Zhang, Quan & Zhai, Zhiqiang John & Ma, Xiaowei, 2019. "Potential of ventilation systems with thermal energy storage using PCMs applied to air conditioned buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 39-53.
    17. Nie, Binjian & Palacios, Anabel & Zou, Boyang & Liu, Jiaxu & Zhang, Tongtong & Li, Yunren, 2020. "Review on phase change materials for cold thermal energy storage applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    18. Ham, Sang-Woo & Kim, Min-Hwi & Choi, Byung-Nam & Jeong, Jae-Weon, 2015. "Energy saving potential of various air-side economizers in a modular data center," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 258-275.

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