Effect of phase change material (PCM) on thermal inertia of walls in lightweight buildings

The effect of a layer of phase change material on an increase in the thermal inertia properties of the outer wall in lightweight building has been numerically studied. Changes in thermal characteristics of the wall in the summer period at various locations of the PCM were analyzed. The regime of indoor air conditioning and the regime of daily in-phase change in the indoor and outdoor air temperatures are considered. It is shown that in the regime of indoor air conditioning, the use of a layer of 4-vol.% paraffin in a wall made of foamed polyurethane allowed reduction in the amplitude of heat flux fluctuations on the inner wall surface from 2 to 13 times, depending on PCM location. The greatest heat flux reduction was obtained when a PCM was mounted in the central area of the wall. It was calculated that the greatest effect of increasing the thermal inertia of the wall made of a light heat-insulating material in the regime of daily in-phase fluctuations in the indoor and outdoor air temperatures was observed when a PCM was located on the inner surface of the wall.

Automated summary

The effect of adding a layer of phase change material on the thermal inertia properties of the outer wall in lightweight building was numerically studied. It was found that in the regime of indoor air conditioning, adding a layer of paraffin in a foamed polyurethane wall can significantly reduce heat flux fluctuations on the inner wall surface. Additionally, locating the phase change material on the inner surface of the wall in the regime of daily in-phase fluctuations in the indoor and outdoor air temperatures produces the best effect.