Energies 2012, 5(7), 2093-2111; doi:10.3390/en5072093
Article

CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings

Miguel A. Gómez* email, Miguel A. Álvarez Feijooemail, Roberto Comesañaemail, Pablo Eguíaemail, José L. Míguezemail and Jacobo Porteiroemail
Industrial Engineering School, University of Vigo, Lagoas-Marcosende s/n 36310 Vigo, Spain
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 3 May 2012; in revised form: 13 June 2012 / Accepted: 15 June 2012 / Published: 25 June 2012
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Energy Efficient Buildings and Green Buildings)
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Abstract: In this work, a CFD-based model is proposed to analyse the effect of phase change materials (PCMs) on the thermal behaviour of the walls of a cubicle exposed to the environment and on the resistance of the walls to climate changes. The effect of several days of exposure to the environment was simulated using the proposed method. The results of the simulation are compared with experimental data to contrast the models. The effects of exposure on the same days were simulated for several walls of a cubicle made of a mixture of concrete and PCM. The results show that the PCM stabilizes temperatures within the cubicle and decreases energy consumption of refrigeration systems.
Keywords: CFD simulation; thermal analysis; PCM; heat storage; concrete walls

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MDPI and ACS Style

Gómez, M.A.; Álvarez Feijoo, M.A.; Comesaña, R.; Eguía, P.; Míguez, J.L.; Porteiro, J. CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings. Energies 2012, 5, 2093-2111.

AMA Style

Gómez MA, Álvarez Feijoo MA, Comesaña R, Eguía P, Míguez JL, Porteiro J. CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings. Energies. 2012; 5(7):2093-2111.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Gómez, Miguel A.; Álvarez Feijoo, Miguel A.; Comesaña, Roberto; Eguía, Pablo; Míguez, José L.; Porteiro, Jacobo. 2012. "CFD Simulation of a Concrete Cubicle to Analyze the Thermal Effect of Phase Change Materials in Buildings." Energies 5, no. 7: 2093-2111.

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