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Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings
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Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 4521

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Feng Yao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
Interests: phase change materials; heat transfer; multiphase flow; heat pipe exchanger; energy comprehensive utilization
Dr. Raza Gulfam

E-Mail
Guest Editor
School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 214135, China
Interests: phase change materials; heat transfer; thermal energy; energy storage; latent heat

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are pleased to invite you submit a paper to this new Special Issue of Buildings entitled “Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings”.

In buildings, PCMs are used to store and release thermal energy during the heating and cooling process. By incorporating PCMs into building materials such as walls, floors, and ceilings, the material in question can absorb excess heat during the day and release it at night when temperatures are cooler. This helps to reduce the energy consumption of a building and improve its overall efficiency.

The importance of PCMs in buildings lies in their ability to reduce energy consumption and improve thermal comfort. By using PCMs, buildings can reduce their reliance on traditional heating and cooling systems, which can be expensive and environmentally detrimental. PCMs can also help to reduce peak energy demand and improve the stability of the electricity grid.

Overall, PCMs constitute an important technology for improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of buildings. As the demand for green buildings and sustainable design continues to grow, PCMs are likely to become an increasingly important component of building design and construction.

This Special Issue aims to compile and present recent research progress made in the field of PCMs towards reducing energy consumption and improving comfort in buildings.

We invite authors to submit original research articles and reviews, particularly those that explore the applications of PCMs in building construction and energy management, including thermal energy storage, insulation, smart windows, thermal collectors, heat exchangers and so on.

I/We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Feng Yao
Dr. Raza Gulfam
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • phase change materials
  • buildings
  • thermal management
  • smart
  • energy efficiency
  • energy storage
  • thermal collectors
  • heat exchangers

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 14997 KiB  
Article
Finite Element Method Simulation Study on the Temperature Field of Mass Concrete with Phase Change Material
by Renshan Chen, Haonan Shangguan, Wei Zhang and Kaibo Yang
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2755; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092755 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 466
Abstract
Phase change materials can be converted between solid, liquid, and gaseous states, absorbing or releasing a large amount of heat. PCM is incorporated into concrete to adjust the temperature difference between inside and outside of concrete, which can reduce cracking. In this paper, [...] Read more.
Phase change materials can be converted between solid, liquid, and gaseous states, absorbing or releasing a large amount of heat. PCM is incorporated into concrete to adjust the temperature difference between inside and outside of concrete, which can reduce cracking. In this paper, the finite element analysis method is used to establish the model of an ordinary concrete structure, doped with phase change materials, on the basis of mechanical properties and a temperature regulation test performed by calculating the adiabatic temperature rise of concrete with different contents of composite phase change material, comparing the experimental and simulation results of the ordinary concrete structures with phase change materials, and analyzing the change in temperature field of the concrete structure with the content of self-prepared composite phase change materials. It is found that the addition of self-prepared composite phase change materials reduces the temperature peak of the concrete structure in the stage of hydration heat and delays the time taken to reach the temperature peak. Then, the temperature field of the phase change mass concrete structure is established, and the influence law of composite phase change material admixture on the temperature field of mass concrete is summarized through the time–temperature curves of different admixture amounts and positions so as to predict the possibility of cracks in mass concrete. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings)
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17 pages, 6592 KiB  
Article
Experimental and Numerical Study on the Thermal Response of the Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Panels Integrated with MPCM
by Lin Zhu, Qiaoyu Wang, Guochen Sang, Zhengzheng Cao and Yi Xue
Buildings 2024, 14(1), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14010234 - 15 Jan 2024
Viewed by 831
Abstract
This paper determines the best design parameters and uses conditions of lightweight aggregate concrete panels containing microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM-LWAC panels). The main work of this paper includes the followings: (1) The fundamental properties (dry density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity) [...] Read more.
This paper determines the best design parameters and uses conditions of lightweight aggregate concrete panels containing microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM-LWAC panels). The main work of this paper includes the followings: (1) The fundamental properties (dry density, thermal conductivity, and specific heat capacity) of MPCM-LWAC were researched to reveal the effect of MPCM dosage on these properties. (2) A model test was carried out to quantify the effect of MPCM dosage on the thermal response of the MPCM-LWAC panel exposed to realistic climate conditions. (3) The numerical simulation was conducted to investigate the effect of MPCM dosage, panel thickness, and outdoor temperature conditions on the thermal response of the MPCM-LWAC panel, which helps to determine its optimum design parameters and use condition. The results showed that the incorporation of MPCM results in lower dry density and thermal conductivity of MPCM-LWAC but higher specific heat capacity. The more MPCM dosage in the MPCM-LWAC panel with a thickness of 35 mm, the lower the energy demand to keep a comfortable interior temperature. Most notably, when the panel thickness exceeds 105 mm, the MPCM-LWAC panel with 5% MPCM only delays the peak temperature. Moreover, the optimal use condition for MPCM-LWAC panels is an average outdoor temperature of 25 °C, which makes the energy demand attain a minimum. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings)
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Review

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25 pages, 3386 KiB  
Review
Recent Progress of Phase Change Materials and Their Applications in Facility Agriculture and Related-Buildings—A Review
by Yijing Cui, Raza Gulfam, Yousaf Ishrat, Saqib Iqbal and Feng Yao
Buildings 2024, 14(9), 2999; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14092999 - 21 Sep 2024
Viewed by 623
Abstract
Facility agriculture, which involves agricultural production in controlled environments such as greenhouses, indoor farms, and vertical farms, aims to maximize efficiency, yield, and quality while minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact. Energy-saving technologies are essential to the green and low-carbon development of facility [...] Read more.
Facility agriculture, which involves agricultural production in controlled environments such as greenhouses, indoor farms, and vertical farms, aims to maximize efficiency, yield, and quality while minimizing resource consumption and environmental impact. Energy-saving technologies are essential to the green and low-carbon development of facility agriculture. Recently, phase change heat storage (PCHS) systems using phase change materials (PCMs) have gained significant attention due to their high thermal storage density and excellent thermal regulation performance. These systems are particularly promising for applications in facility agriculture and related buildings, such as solar thermal utilization, greenhouse walls, and soil insulation. However, the low thermal conductivity of PCMs presents a challenge for applications requiring rapid heat transfer. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the types, thermophysical properties, and various forms of PCMs, including macro-encapsulated PCMs, shape-stabilized PCMs, and phase change capsules (PCCs), as well as their preparation methods. The research methodology involves an in-depth analysis of these PCMs and their applications in active and passive PCHS systems within facility agriculture and related buildings. The major conclusion of this study highlights the critical role of PCMs in advancing energy-saving technologies in facility agriculture. By enhancing PCM performance, optimizing latent heat storage systems, and integrating intelligent environmental control, this work provides essential guidelines for designing more efficient and sustainable agricultural structures. The article will serve as the fundamental guideline to design more robust structures for facility agriculture and related buildings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings)
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42 pages, 8637 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances and Developments in Phase Change Materials in High-Temperature Building Envelopes: A Review of Solutions and Challenges
by Farhan Lafta Rashid, Anmar Dulaimi, Wadhah Amer Hatem, Mudhar A. Al-Obaidi, Arman Ameen, Muhammad Asmail Eleiwi, Sarah Abbas Jawad, Luís Filipe Almeida Bernardo and Jong Wan Hu
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1582; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061582 - 30 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1892
Abstract
The use of phase change materials (PCMs) has become an increasingly common way to reduce a building’s energy usage when added to the building envelope. This developing technology has demonstrated improvements in thermal comfort and energy efficiency, making it a viable building energy [...] Read more.
The use of phase change materials (PCMs) has become an increasingly common way to reduce a building’s energy usage when added to the building envelope. This developing technology has demonstrated improvements in thermal comfort and energy efficiency, making it a viable building energy solution. The current study intends to provide a comprehensive review of the published studies on the utilization of PCMs in various constructions of energy-efficient roofs, walls, and ceilings. The research question holds massive potential to unlock pioneering solutions for maximizing the usefulness of PCMs in reducing cooling demands, especially in challenging high-temperature environments. Several issues with PCMs have been revealed, the most significant of which is their reduced effectiveness during the day due to high summer temperatures, preventing them from crystallizing at night. However, this review investigates how PCMs can delay the peak temperature time, reducing the number of hours during which the indoor temperature exceeds the thermal comfort range. Additionally, the utilization of PCMs can improve the building’s energy efficiency by mitigating the need for cooling systems during peak hours. Thus, selecting the right PCM for high temperatures is both critical and challenging. Insulation density, specific heat, and thermal conductivity all play a role in heat transfer under extreme conditions. This study introduces several quantification techniques and paves the way for future advancements to accommodate practical and technical solutions related to PCM usage in building materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) in Buildings)
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