TO ANALYZE THE THERMAL RESPONSE OF A BUILDING

ENVELOPE USING MACRO-ENCAPSULATED PCM FOR

ENERGY SAVINGS

Mazhar Ali
17ME16(G.L)
Sharjeel Ahmed
17ME12 Supervised By:
Engr .Riaz
Azhar Zain-ul-Abdin Qureshi 17ME14

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

MEHRAN UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY JAMSHORO
Contents 2

 Introduction
 Literature Review
 Problem Statement
 Objectives
 Methodology
 Work Plan
 1st Objective
 References
Introduction 3

 Of all the things that consume a lot of Final end use of energy in %
electricity, one of the most important 4.8%

industries in some countries is Building

8.8%
industry. The Building sector accounts for 29%
Building Sector
Residential
more than 30%, as depicted in figure 1, of Transport
global energy demand, according to the 30.3%
Commercial

International Energy Agency (IEA)[1]. 27.1% other sectors

 As a result, building energy conservation is

now a top priority for energy policy at the Fig. 1. Percentage share of the final end use of energy Sources:
federal, global and international level. International Energy Agencies
Introduction 4

 The solar thermal energy storage devices using Phase Change Material (PCM), in the
building construction has gained popularity among scientists in recent years due to its
ability to direct everyday variations in indoor temperature. [2-7].
 As a result, reduces the amount of energy used to cool and heat space. in the form of latent
heat in PCM that benefits from a high energy storage density, storing heat at a constant
temperature that corresponds to the temperature at which the phase transition occurs and,
have 5 to 14 times more energy per unit volume than sensible heat materials [8,9].
 The PCM's operating theory is that it absorbs energy as it melts during the day when the
temperature is higher than the PCM's melting temperature. Similarly, PCM solidification
occurs at night, when the outside temperature is lower than the PCM melting temperature.
 As a result, when PCM is inserted into the building envelope, the building's heat storage
capability increases, and the indoor thermal behavior improves. [10]
 Classification Of PCM Paraffin
7
Organic
Compounds
Fatty Acids

Salt Hydrates

PHASE
Inorganic
CHANGE
Compounds
MATERIALS Metallics

Organic- Organic

Inorganic-
Eutectics Organic

Inorganic-
Inorganic
Selection Of PCM 5
 The phase change material used is called SavE® OM37, that is a Salt Hydrite PCM made
of inorganic chemicals with a melting temperature range of 36°C to 40°C.We have selected
Salt Hydrite PCMs because they are readily available in Jamshoro. In its crystalline form,
it retains thermal energy in the form of latent heat. This latent heat is emitted or drained as
the phase is changed, allowing the system's ambient temperature to be preserved. Table
below shows the thermo-physical properties of OM37 which are suitable for the
Jamshoro’s weather conditions.
Selection Of Encapsulation Container 6

Material
 Aluminum alloy 8011 is selected as an encapsulation material because of its high
corrosion resistance , Good strength and suitable thermo-physical properties.
Selection Of Shape 8

 Cylindrical Container Tubes for macro-encapsulation are used because they are easy to
incorporated ,low leakage problem due to no corners, Uniform heat Distribution and easy
to close from both ends. Example of Cylindrical tubes are show in figure below.

Fig. 2. Cylindrical Container Tubes for Macro-encapsulated PCM

Advantages of Macro-Encapsulation Over
Micro-Encapsulation
Micro-Encapsulation
 Microencapsulation has
disadvantages, such as a poor PCM
to coating/shell mass ratio, which
limits energy storage density. [13],
PCM leakage due to broken
microcapsules during construction
site mixing/handling, as well as a
decrease in the compressive
strength of the building material.
9
Macro-Encapsulation
 The Macro-encapsulation
method, has the
advantages of high power,
higher energy density due
to the high PCM to
coating ratio,[15] and the
ability to be quickly
processed into any shape
and size as required. [16-
18].
Literature Review 10

 The Authors of this Document are Hasnat .J, Morshed. A and Jay.S [20].whose title is
“Thermal performance of hollow-core slab ventilation system with macro-
encapsulated phase-change materials in supply air duct”.
 In which the air was passed through a PCM-incorporated aluminum air duct, and the
temperature at different points along the duct was registered.
 According to the findings, as the PCM was extended over all four interior surfaces of the
supply air duct, the temperature differential was greatest and lasted the longest and the
combined PCM–air duct–hollow-core slab system's efficacy in minimizing temperature
fluctuations was less than the PCM–air duct system's individual output...
Literature Review 11

 The Authors of this Document are Pushpendra Kumar S.R and Shailendra K.S [21] whose
title is “An experimental evaluation of thermal behavior of the building envelope using
macro-encapsulated PCM for energy savings”.
 In which they have worked on the thermal response of a building envelope integrated
with macro-encapsulated PCM is evaluated in a specific tropical climate. The peak
temperature, time lag, and thermal amplitude of two cubicles were investigated, one of
which is reference cubicle and the other one is embed with Macro-encapsulated PCM.
 The findings show a decrease in thermal amplitude, as well as a decrease in the peak
temperature of both the walls, the ceiling, and the indoor environment of the experimental
cubical. Additionally, the experimental cubicle's cooling load was reduced while the time
delay was increased.
Literature Review 12

 The Authors of this Document are Prakash. R, Meenakshipriya .B and Kumaravelan . R

[9]. Whose title is “Calorimetric investigation of magnesium nitrate hexahydrate and
sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate as salt mixture encapsulated materials for thermal
energy storage”.
 In which they have researched, studied, examined and explored the use of a magnesium
nitrate hexahydrate and sodium thiosulphate pentahydrate salt composite as an
encapsulated phase change content in a solar water heater storage device for thermal
energy storage.
 The findings show that this encased phase change material cylinder can hold more latent
heat of fusion and can be used for indirect solar cooking and other low-temperature
applications, including in the late evenings.
Literature Review 13

 The Authors of this Document are Mushtaq I. Hasan, Hadi O. Basher and Ahmed O.
Shdhan [22] . Whose title is “Experimental investigation of phase change materials for
insulation of in which they have residential buildings”.
 In this an experiment was carried out to see whether PCM could be used as a thermal
insulation material by mixing it into the layers of the walls and ceiling.
 The findings show that use of PCM as insulation materials resulted in a decrease in the
zone's indoor temperature, a reduction in cooling load, and, as a result, a reduction in
energy usage.
Literature Review 14

 The Authors of this Document are Qudama M. Q. Al-Yasiri and Márta Szabó [23].Whose
title is “Performance Assessment of Phase Change Materials Integrated with Building
Envelope for Heating Application in Cold Locations”.
 In this the aim of research is to integrate PCMs with the building envelope for heating
purposes. The key PCM definitions are discussed, as well as their main features, with an
emphasis on PCM forms used in building heating applications.
 The findings show that Regardless of their styles or methods, all PCMs could increase
building energy savings in cold climates by up to 44.16 percent.
Literature Review 15

 The Authors of this Document are Rami .Z, Siddig .O and Guohui .G [24] . Whose
title is “Experimental performance of latent thermal energy storage for sustainable
cooling of buildings in hot-arid regions”.
 In this they studied on one of the sustainable solutions for cooling buildings is to use
phase change material (PCM) as an energy reservoir of cooling during the night to be
recovered during the day.
 The findings show that that the proposed device will function satisfactorily in humid,
arid climates, and that significant energy savings are possible.
Problem Statement 16

 In both developed and developing countries, the building industry has

become one of the most energy-intensive sectors. Since 2000, the amount of
energy used to cool buildings has been increased from 3.6 EJ to 7 EJ,
consequently, it is the most rapidly growing end-use energy in buildings.
Warmer temperatures and increased activity as a result of population and
economic growth are driving this trend further. The use of PCM
encapsulation in Building sector is one of the most suitable option for
conserving energy. PCM have a high energy storage density, it store heat at
a constant temperature that corresponds to have several times more energy
per unit volume than sensible heat materials. [8,9].
 Therefore, the purpose of this Thesis is to “Reduce energy demand
in the building sector for space cooling and heating using Macro-
encapsulated PCM”.
Objectives 17

The aim of this study is to evaluate the cooling load reduction by analyzing the indoor thermal

behavior of a building integrated with Macro-encapsulated PCM under the environmental

conditions of Jamshoro. Two cubicles will be simulated using Energy Plus, one of which is

reference cubicle without PCM and the other one is the Reference cubicle with macro-

encapsulated PCM. In order to achieve the aim of research, following objectives were set.
• To Model and Simulate the thermal response of a Cubicle without PCM .
• To Model and Simulate the thermal response of a Cubicle with Macro-encapsulated PCM.
• To Compare the thermal responses of both cubicles
Methodology 18

1.To develope 3D 8.To add zone 9.To set output

model of Cubicle ventilation in idf variable and add
without PCM files weather file in EPW
format

2.To develope 3D 7.Add Schedules in

model of Cubicle Idf file
With PCM 9.To simulate the
developed file

6.To add specific

3.To develope idf materials and
files of the model in constructional
Energy Plus details for each case
11.Compare &
analyze the result
based on thermal
response of both
4.To building cubicles
5.To add internal
location details gain details in idf
files
Work Plan 19

Task 1st 2nd 3rd 4rth 5th Status Completion time

Month Month Month Month Month

Literature review   Completed Done

Problem Identification and

Goals   Completed Done

Modeling of both Cubicles

  Completed Done

Report writing and

presentation preparation  Completed Done
Models Of Both Reference Cubicle and 20

Cubicle with Macro-Encapsulated PCM

 Models of both Cubicles are designed using Sketchup and parameters
are taken from paper[21] which are give below.

Both Cubicles Dimensions 1.12m x 1.12m x 1.12m

Windows Dimensions 0.15m x 0.15m
Door Dimensions 0.15m x 0.46m
Numbers of tubes in East Wall 6 tubes of 900mm
Numbers of tubes in West Wall 6 tubes of 900mm
Numbers of tubes in North Wall 3 tubes of 900mm and 6 tubes of 370mm
Numbers of tubes in South Wall 4 tubes of 900mm and 4 tubes of 370mm
Number of tubes in Roof 6 tubes of 900mm
Arrangement of Macro-encapsulated 21
tubes of PCM in Cubicle
Reference Cubicle Cubicle with Macro-encapsulated PCM
 Models Of Both Cubicles 22
Reference Cubicle Cubicle with Macro-encapsulated PCM

FRONT VIEW

BACK VIEW
 References 23

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