ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 133
New Perspective of Phase Change Material
Application for Energy Efficient Building
Mahmoud Haggag 1 *, Ahmed Hassan 2 and Shaimaa Abdelbaqi 3
3
*
1
2
United Arab Emirates University, Al‐Ain, UAE ; [email protected]
United Arab Emirates University, Al‐Ain, UAE ; [email protected]
United Arab Emirates University, Al‐Ain, UAE ; [email protected]
Correspondence: [email protected]
Abstract: Phase change materials (PCMs) offer great potential as a latent heat energy storage
technique to provide energy efcient systems in new and existing residential buildings. Due to their
unique characteristic of high storage densities and latent heat properties, PCMs provide opportunities
for greater energy storage in many applications for residential buildings including space
heating/cooling.
This paper aims to understand the potentials of applying PCM‐system (Paraffin waxes and Salt
hydrate) in harsh hot climate, assessing the effects of employing it on the thermal behavior of building
applying the PCM based pre‐cooling system and providing recommendations regarding the design
and implementation of PCM in building. In this study PCM based air pre‐cooling concept will be
examined and evaluates its performance in extremely hot climate of UAE. The drop in the outlet air
temperature of the duct system quantifies the cooling effect. A paraffin waxes and salt hydrate is
characterized. A paraffin based PCM with melting range of 30–33°C was selected for its preferable
properties and integrated in containers placed in the test chamber mimic the air conditioning duct
system, and its cooling effect is monitored. A Conjugate heat transfer model employing enthalpy‐
based formulation is developed to predict the optimized PCM container size and optimum airflow
rate validated with experimental data. Single and series columns of PCM containers subjected to
different levels of supplied air velocity at range of 1 m/s ‐ 4m/s are evaluated. Employing series of
PCM enclosures at low air velocity of 1m/s enhanced the pre‐cooling performance and reduced the
outlet air temperature to 35°C yielding a temperature drop up to 11°C.
Keywords: Phase Change Material, Paraffin Wax, Energy Efficiency, Air Pre‐cooling, Air‐
Conditioning, UAE.
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