Inorganic PCMs applications in passive cooling of buildings - A review

Abstract

Buildings consume around 40% of total world energy and are responsible for 30-35% greenhouse gas emissions globally. Latent heat thermal energy storage is one of the most promising techniques being investigated currently to reduce the thermal load of buildings. Different types of phase change materials (PCMs) i.e. organic, inorganic and eutectics with different thermophysical properties have been investigated for passive cooling of buildings showing great potential for saving energy. Due to their higher thermal conductivity and high heat storage capacity per unit volume, inorganic phase change materials take advantage over organic ones. They can be used as stand-alone heat storage systems for free cooling, embedded in building walls, windows, roofs and ceilings etc. Studies have shown that there are some drawbacks of inorganic PCMs as well like corrosion of container material, phase separation and supercooling which require solutions.