A Review of PCM Trombe Walls: Advances in Structural Optimization, Material Selection, and Operational Strategies

Abstract

Given that building energy consumption accounts for a significant portion of total energy consumption, passive building technologies have demonstrated tremendous potential in addressing energy crises and the greenhouse effect. As a passive building technology, the Trombe wall (TW) can utilize solar energy to enhance building energy efficiency. However, due to their reliance on direct solar radiation patterns and limited thermal inertia characteristics, traditional TW systems exhibit inherent efficiency limitations. By integrating phase change materials (PCMs), TW systems can achieve high thermal storage performance and temperature control flexibility within a narrow temperature gradient range. By integrating functional materials, PCM-TW systems can be made multifunctional (e.g., through thermal catalysts for air purification). This has significant engineering implications. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the development timeline of TWs, focusing on the evolution of PCM-TW technology and its performance. Based on this, the paper particularly emphasizes the roles of three key operational parameters: structural characteristics, thermophysical material design, and operational management. Importantly, through comparative analysis of existing systems, this paper identifies the shortcomings of current PCM-TW systems and proposes future improvement directions based on the review results.