A novel approach to investigate the thermal comfort of the lightweight relocatable building integrated with PCM in different climates of Kazakhstan during summertime

This study investigates the potential of PCM and natural ventilation to strengthen the thermal comfort inside the lightweight relocatable building located in Kazakhstan during the summer period. The quantification of the impact of the PCM on the thermal comfort was accomplished using the concepts of maximum operative temperature reduction and discomfort index. A novel indicator of Total Discomfort Change (TDC) was introduced to select the optimum PCM. Thereafter, the behaviour of the optimised PCM was comprehensively evaluated through activation of PCM and PCM storage efficiency. In all cities, PCM 26 + NV showed the best performance achieving the TDC values of up to 1818 and its storage efficiency values were up to 39.1%. Then, the analysis of the effect of real PCMs on the thermal comfort conditions was provided. The investigation revealed that RT 26 + NV was the most efficient in all cities achieving the TDC values of up to 1977. Thereafter, the impact of climate change under RCP 8.5 emission scenario (2095) was assessed and RT 28 + NV and RT 26 + NV were found to be optimum combinations. Overall, the optimum configuration of PCM with natural ventilation can be used for improving the thermal comfort conditions during the summertime in all cities of Kazakhstan. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigated the potential of PCM and natural ventilation in enhancing thermal comfort in lightweight relocatable buildings in Kazakhstan during summer. The study introduced a new indicator, TDC, to select the optimal PCM and evaluated the performance in terms of both TDC values and storage efficiency. The research concluded that PCM 26 + NV was the best performing combination in all cities, and highlighted the efficiency of RT 26 + NV in improving thermal comfort conditions. Further analysis under climate change scenarios identified RT 28 + NV and RT 26 + NV as the optimum combinations for future use.