Parametric and sensitivity analysis of a PCM-integrated wall for optimal thermal load modulation in lightweight buildings

Kishore, Ravi Anant; Bianchi, Marcus V. A.; Booten, Charles; Vidal, Judith; Jackson, Roderick

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116568

Parametric and sensitivity analysis of a PCM-integrated wall for optimal thermal load modulation in lightweight buildings

Journal Article · Sun Jan 10 23:00:00 EST 2021 · Applied Thermal Engineering

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2021.116568· OSTI ID:1768289

^[1]; Bianchi, Marcus V. A. ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]; ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Load modulation in buildings is becoming increasingly important due to growing disparity in energy demand during peak and off-peak hours. Integrating phase change material (PCM) in building envelopes and using a controlled precooling strategy can provide substantial thermal load modulation; however, it may greatly increase the total energy use. Previous studies have employed PCM in building envelopes primarily for energy savings and, to some extent, peak load shedding and shifting. However, the load modulation capacity of a PCM-integrated envelope has not been well explored in the literature. In this study, we perform an extensive parametric and sensitivity analysis on PCM-integrated lightweight building walls and examine the combinatory effects of various PCM parameters on thermal load modulation and wall-related heat gains in buildings. Using numerical simulations, we investigate eight PCM parameters: PCM location in the wall, transition temperature, thickness, latent heat, transition range, density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity. Here, we evaluate their impact and relative importance to achieve maximum load modulation in buildings without compromising occupants’ thermal comfort or total energy use. The results show that the optimized PCM proposed in this study can completely invert the transient heat gain profile of the wall, providing up to 70% reduction of wall-related heat gain during peak hours without a major increase in the cumulative heat gain.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Energy Efficiency Office. Building Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1768289

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1809737
OSTI ID: 23197610

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5500-77698; MainId:30613; UUID:9290fce8-d1e6-498b-a5eb-5f27afd41441; MainAdminID:19716

Journal Information:: Applied Thermal Engineering, Journal Name: Applied Thermal Engineering Vol. 187; ISSN 1359-4311

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Parametric and sensitivity analysis of a PCM-integrated wall for optimal thermal load modulation in lightweight buildings

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