Experimental research on thermal performance of lightweight envelope integrated with phase change material

Abstract

Present relief camp built with lightweight envelope has obvious cold-house effect and poor indoor thermal environment. Advantage of phase change material provides one possible way to improve thermal performance of lightweight envelope. This study analyzed the thermal performance of lightweight envelope with and without PCM and presented their difference by establishing one experimental system, including one special model with PCM and one ordinary model without PCM. The results show that the lightweight envelope integrated with PCM has better thermal performance and thermal inertia than those of lightweight envelope without PCM. Meanwhile, PCM applied in lightweight envelope can make indoor air temperature fluctuation be weak. This study provides some guides for structure design and optimization of relief camp, in order to acquiring favorable indoor thermal environment. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2014.