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Enhancing building wall thermal performance with phase change material and insulation: A comparative and synergistic assessment

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  • Tunçbilek, Ekrem
  • Arıcı, Müslüm
  • Krajčík, Michal
  • Li, Dong
  • Nižetić, Sandro
  • Papadopoulos, Agis M.

Abstract

The energy-saving effect of phase change materials (PCMs) and conventional thermal insulations has traditionally been considered separately, although a purposeful combination of the two could increase energy-savings. Therefore, this study investigated the energy benefits of PCM and conventional thermal insulation applied separately or in combination in a building external wall. A numerical model was developed and validated with analytical solution and experimental data. In the comparative analysis, PCM located on the interior side of the wall outperformed insulation for layer thicknesses ≤ LPCM= 16 mm. In the best case, PCM saved 38.2% more energy than insulation at a layer thickness of LINS= 6 mm. A parameter (ψ) defining the ratio of LPCM to LPCM + LINS was introduced. The synergistic effect evaluation revealed that using a composite of PCM and insulation (C5 configuration, ψ = 0.05) conserved up to 7.3% of energy compared to only insulation application (ψ = 0). Besides, configuration C6 with ψ = 0.15 provided 6.4% more energy saving than ψ = 0. Furthermore, the combined designs with 0 < ψ ≤ 0.6 outperformed ψ = 0 for C5, C6, and C10 configurations. Overall, a marginal positive effect on the energy saving was observed for the combined design compared to insulation only. Latent heat activation was critical for obtaining improved thermal performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Tunçbilek, Ekrem & Arıcı, Müslüm & Krajčík, Michal & Li, Dong & Nižetić, Sandro & Papadopoulos, Agis M., 2023. "Enhancing building wall thermal performance with phase change material and insulation: A comparative and synergistic assessment," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:218:y:2023:i:c:s0960148123011850
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.119270
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Lee, Kyoung Ok & Medina, Mario A. & Raith, Erik & Sun, Xiaoqin, 2015. "Assessing the integration of a thin phase change material (PCM) layer in a residential building wall for heat transfer reduction and management," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 699-706.
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    1. Yaraş, Ali & Bayram, Muhammed & Ustaoğlu, Abid & Erdoğmuş, Ertuğrul & Hekimoğlu, Gökhan & Sarı, Ahmet & Gencel, Osman & Tyagi, V.V. & Ozbakkaloglu, Togay, 2024. "Advancing thermal control in buildings with innovative cementitious mortar and recycled expanded glass/n-octadecane phase change material composites," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).

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