Centro de Território, Ambiente e Construção
Escola de Engenharia da Universidade do Minho
Campus de Azurém
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Phone: + 351 253 510 200 (517 206)
Fax: + 351 253 510 217
Email: geral@ctac.uminho.pt
@phdthesis {2350, title = {Incorporation of hybrid phase change materials in plastering mortars for increased energy efficiency in buildings}, year = {2016}, month = {2016-02-10 00:00:00}, pages = {172}, school = {University of Minho}, abstract = {This thesis proposes the development of a new technology for improved energy efficiency\ in buildings by incorporation of more than one type of phase change material (hybrid\ PCM) in plastering mortars for fa{\c c}ade walls. Such approach provides added benefits in\ regard to recent proposals of single PCM usage. Their application as lining of walls\ contributes to keep the indoor air temperature within acceptable comfort levels, and\ consequently reduce energy consumption associated to acclimatization. The focus was the\ strategy for minimizing heating/cooling energy consumption by applying mortars\ containing adequate proportions of PCMs with distinct melting temperatures and phase\ change enthalpies. The overall work methodology involved experimental (laboratory level,\ small scale testing) and numerical research with hybrid PCM, and aimed to develop a\ guideline for energy efficiency.
}, keywords = {Energy Efficiency, Hybrid phase change materials, Plastering mortars}, author = {Kheradmand, M. and Aguiar, J. B. and Azenha, M.} }
This thesis initially started with experimental part aimed characterization of the used\ materials (material level investigations). Then, the feasibility of hybrid PCM (i.e.\ incorporating more than one types of PCM with distinct melting temperature and\ enthalpies in the same mortar) to enhance the efficiency of PCM system was assessed\ through laboratory scale prototypes and real scale simulation. The experimental part of the
work aimed to demonstrate the effectiveness of PCM incorporated into the plastering\ mortars used as internal coatings of building spaces. Two small scale prototypes were\ prepared with distinct interior coatings: (1) one with common plastering mortars; (2)\ another mortar incorporated with hybrid PCM. Both test cells have been subjected to\ realistic daily temperature profile, and the effect of the coatings has been assessed with\ recourse to internal temperature monitoring. The collected results for daily cycles showed
that hybrid PCM acts reducing inside temperature amplitudes during the day and turning\ them closer to comfort temperature levels. Numerical thermal model was conducted to verify the experimental results. The numerical predictions for the temperature profiles were\ almost similar to those obtained from experimental observations. The obtained results and\ their comparison with monitored temperatures have shown that the numerical simulation\ methodology can provide feasible estimates of temperature in elements containing mortar\ with incorporated hybrid PCM. This confidence in the numerical framework for this purpose allows the possibility of evaluating alternative scenarios, both in terms of climate\ condition and melting temperature solutions of the PCM. Development and experimental\ evaluation were conducted for this two laboratory scale prototypes, as to enhance the \ thermal energy storage potential of buildings. The prototypes were internally equipped with a heater that was programmed to keep the comfort temperature in the enclosure. A reference mortar without PCM was also applied in a prototype for comparative purposes. The hybrid PCM mortar development work has experimentally shown that the concept is feasible on the small scale and that the thermal storage of the hybrid PCM can be successfully reduces the energy consumption about 20\%. It was further observed that the HPCMM plays a role in reducing the temperature variation of indoor environment, which assists to significantly decrease the energy consumption for buildings. Then, it is considered advisable to test the hybrid PCM concept in a real scale application, in order to assess thermal behaviour as well as energy saving potential of hybrid PCM mortar. The results further confirmed the energy saving potential of the hybrid PCM and consequently,\ provided the ground for better understanding the phase change phenomena and modelling approaches.
The Centre for Territory, Environment and Construction (CTAC) is a research unit of the School of Engineering of University of Minho (UMinho), recognised by the “FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (Foundation for Science and Technology), associated to the Department of Civil Engineering (DEC), with whom it shares resources and namely human resources.
Currently CTAC aggregates 25 researchers holding a PhD of which 20 are faculty professors of the Civil Engineering Department. Read more
Centro de Território, Ambiente e Construção
Escola de Engenharia da Universidade do Minho
Campus de Azurém
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Phone: + 351 253 510 200 (517 206)
Fax: + 351 253 510 217
Email: geral@ctac.uminho.pt