Investigation On The Effectiveness Of Using Phase Change Material As An Energy-Free Passive Cooling System In Buildings

Scully, Darren John (2015) Investigation On The Effectiveness Of Using Phase Change Material As An Energy-Free Passive Cooling System In Buildings. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Most of the current air-conditioning system consumes large amount of electricity. If measures are not taken, it will give adverse impact to the environment such as global warming and climate change. This leads to the necessity of developing new energy-efficient technology for air-conditioning system. The alternative method that is presented in this study is with the usage of Phase Change Material (PCM) as an energy-free passive cooling system that is incorporated into a room model. PCM stores cool energy that are available over-night within the PCM and later the stored energy is used to absorb the internal and solar heat gains during the day-time thus, cooling the targeted space. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using (PCM) as energy-free passive cooling system in buildings. Paraffinic PCM with melting point of 24.0 ~ 25.0℃ were selected since the melting point falls in the range of 23.5 ~ 25.5℃ the ideal room temperature for human thermal comfort that is suggested by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). A room model was fabricated in accordance to the parameter to be investigated. The parameters are the effect of with and without PCM, location of PCM in the room model, enhancement in thermal conductivity, quantity of PCM and the effect of air supplied by fan. The results show that by incorporating PCM in the room model, the air temperature maintained at about 26.0℃ as compared to that of system without PCM in which the air temperature fluctuated from 28.0 ~ 29.0℃. The cooling effect can also be enhanced by increasing the thermal conductivity of the PCM packaging and by increasing the quantity of the PCM used. When six packs of PCM were used, the temperature became stable at 24.0 ~ 24.5℃ which is within the comfort temperature suggested by ASHRAE. The Carnot efficiency of this system was 16.9%. This study proved that PCM can potentially be used as an alternative solution for the conventional high energy consumption of the compressor-driven refrigeration system. The main advantage of PCM are energy-free and low-maintenance required which makes it attractive and technically feasible for the cooling system in buildings.

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