Experimental study of using PCM in brick constructive solutions for passive cooling

Abstract

This work presents the results of an experimental set-up to test phase change materials with two typical construction materials (conventional and alveolar brick) for Mediterranean construction in real conditions. Several cubicles were constructed and their thermal performance throughout the time was measured. For each construction material, macroencapsulated PCM is added in one cubicle (RT-27 and SP-25 A8). The cubicles have a domestic heat pump as a cooling system and the energy consumption is registered to determine the energy savings achieved. The free-floating experiments show that the PCM can reduce the peak temperatures up to 1 8C and smooth out the daily fluctuations. Moreover, in summer 2008 the electrical energy consumption was reduced in the PCM cubicles about 15%. These energy savings resulted in a reduction of the CO2 emissions about 1–1.5 kg/year/m2.

The work was partially funded by the Spanish government (project ENE2008-06687-C02-01/CON) and the European Union (COST Action COST TU0802), in collaboration with the companies Synthesia, Honeywell, Gremi de Rajolers, Hispalyt, Prefabricats Lacoma, Cerámicas Sampedro and Cityhall of Puigverd de Lleida. The authors would like to thank the Catalan Government for the quality accreditation given to their research group (2009 SGR 534).