Simulation and experimental study of thermal performance of a building roof with a phase change material (PCM)

Abstract

Latent heat storage in a phase change material (PCM) is very attractive because of its high-energy storage density and its isothermal behaviour during the phase change process. Low thermal conductivity of the walls and roof reduces the heat gain at a steady state condition. Chloride hexahydrate (CaCl26H2O) as a phase change material (PCM) for a room was proposed in this paper to control the indoor air temperature for a better thermal comfort for human beings. Building concrete roof with vertical cylindrical hole of 0.5 × 0.5 m and array of 3 × 3 filled with phase change material (PCM) was considered for analysis. A detailed thermal analysis was carried by both simulation and experimental study. Results showed that this type of PCM room can decrease the indoor air temperature fluctuation by a maximum of 4°C.