Numerical Analysis of the Impact of Phase Change Materials on the Optimization of Building Cooling Load

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran,

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) on the performance enhancement of ceiling cooling systems (chilled ceilings) and on the reduction in energy consumption in residential buildings. Considering the hot and dry climate of Yazd, Iran, a representative residential space was modeled using Design Builder software (based on Energy Plus), and the thermal behavior of five PCMs with different melting temperatures (ranging from 21°C to 29°C) was analyzed at various thicknesses. The results indicated that the PCM with a melting point of 25°C and a thickness of 74.2 mm (Q25M182) achieved the highest energy savings. Moreover, under free-running conditions with night ventilation, this PCM significantly improved indoor temperature distribution and reduced the dependence on active cooling systems. Subsequently, using ANSYS software, the thermal performance of a chilled ceiling panel integrated with PCM was compared to that of a conventional polyurethane insulation layer. The findings showed despite the fact that the PCM slightly reduced the panel’s instantaneous cooling capacity, it led to a considerable reduction in the overall cooling load, chiller power demand, and electricity consumption. Therefore, PCMs can be recommended as an effective alternative to the conventional insulation materials in hot climate zones.

Highlights

[1] Frank, B., "Using phase change materials (PCM) for space heating and cooling in buildings", Proceedings of AIRAH Performance Enhanced Buildings Environmentally Sustainable Design Conference, Australia, 2004.

[2] Pasupathy, A., Athanasius, L., Velraj, R., Seeniraj, R. V., "Experimental investigation and numerical simulation analysis on the thermal performance of a building roof incorporating phase change material (PCM) for thermal management", Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 5-6, pp. 556-565, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2007.04.016.

[3] Chen, C., Guo, H., Liu, Y., Yue, H., Wang, C., "A new kind of phase change material (PCM) for energy-storing wallboard", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 882-890, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.07.002.

[4] Huang, M.J., Eames, P.C., Hewitt, N.J., "The application of a validated numerical model to predict the energy conservation potential of using phase change materials in the fabric of a building",  Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, Vol. 90, No. 12, pp. 1951-1960, 2006,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2006.02.002.

[5] Nagano, K., Takeda, S., Mochida, T., Shimakura, K., Nakdamura, T., "Study of a floor supply air conditioning system using granular phase change material to augment building mass thermal storage – heat response in small scale experiment",  Energy and Buildings, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 436-446, 2010, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2005.07.010.

[6] Farid, M.M., Chen, X.D., "Domestic electric space heating with heat storage", Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, Vol. 213, No. 2, pp. 83-92, 1999, https://doi.org/10.1243/0957650991537455.

[7] Aryal, A., Chaiwiwatworakul, P., Chirarattananon, S., "An experimental study of thermal performance of the radiant ceiling cooling in office building in Thailand", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 283, p. 112849, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112849.

[8] Nong, R., Zhang, L., Tang, X., Su, X., Tang, X., "Thermal performance study of PCM embedded radiant cooling ceiling assisted by infrared-transparent silicon wafers", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 321, pp. 114644, 2024.

[9] Shin, M.S., Kim, S.Y., Rhee, K.N., "Cooling capacity evaluation of ceiling radiant cooling panels using thermoelectric module", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 323, p. 114760, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114760.

[10] Skovajsa, J., Drabek, P., Sehnalek, S., "Solution of the modular PCM-based cooling ceiling and ventilation system," Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 257, p. 124169, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.124169.

[11] Bogatu, D.I., Shinoda, J., Olesen, B.W., Kazanci, O.B., "Cooling performance evaluation of novel radiant ceiling panel containing phase change material (PCM)", Journal of Building Engineering, Vol. 103, p. 112051, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.112051.

[12] Yang, S., Zhang, Y., Zhao, Y., Torres, J.F., Wang, X., "PCM-based ceiling panels for passive cooling in buildings: A CFD modelling", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 285, p. 112898, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112898.

[13] Shi, W., Yang, H., Ma, X., Liu, X., "Techno-economic evaluation and environmental benefit of hybrid evaporative cooling system in hot-humid regions", Sustainable Cities and Society, Vol. 97, p. 104735, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104735

[14] Soares, N., Costa, J.J., Gaspar, A.R., Santos, P., "Review of passive PCM latent heat thermal energy storage systems towards buildings’ energy efficiency", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 59, pp. 82-103, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.12.042.

[15] Ho, C.J., Gao, Y.W., Yang, T.F., Rashidi, S., Yan, W.M., "Numerical study on forced convection of water-based suspensions of nanoencapsulated PCM particles/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in a mini-channel heat sink", International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 157, pp. 119965, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2020.119965.

[16] Daly, D., Roth, J., Kokogiannakis, G., McDowell, C., Tibbs, M., Cooper, P., "Energy consumption in Australian primary schools: Influences and metrics", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 277, p. 112549, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112549.

[17] Sinacka, J., Szczechowiak, E., "An experimental study of a thermally activated ceiling containing phase change material for different cooling load profiles", Energies, Vol. 14, p. 7363, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217363.

[18] Mirahmad, A., Sadreameli S.M., "Numerical study and simulation of the performance of a phase change material-filled heat exchanger for an air-conditioning system in a residential building located in hot and arid regions of Iran", Scientific Journal of Energy Engineering and Management, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 42-51, 2015.

 [19] Center, F. S. E., Gu, L., "ASHRAE standard 140-2004 standard method of test for the evaluation of building energy analysis computer programs: Test results for the DOE-2.1E (v120) that is incorporated in energy gauge summit 3.14", 2007.

[20] Taheri, M., Pourfayaz, F., Habibi, R., Maleki, A.,  "Exergy analysis of charge and discharge processes of thermal energy storage system with various phase change materials: A comprehensive comparison", Journal of Thermal Science, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 509-521, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-023-1859-y.

[21] Ahmad, N.A., Lim, C.W., "Simplified model and performance analysis for radiant cooling panel with serpentine tube arrangement and thin insulation layer for moisture control in tropical climate", Journal of Physics: Conference series, Conf. Ser. 1630, p. 012002,  2020, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1630/1/012002.

[22] Sleiti, A.K., Naimaster, E.J., "Energy consumption in office buildings with phase change materials", Eleven International Conference on Thermal Engineering: Theory and Applications, Doha, Qatar, February 25-28, 2018.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

[1] Frank, B., "Using phase change materials (PCM) for space heating and cooling in buildings", Proceedings of AIRAH Performance Enhanced Buildings Environmentally Sustainable Design Conference, Australia, 2004.
[2] Pasupathy, A., Athanasius, L., Velraj, R., Seeniraj, R. V., "Experimental investigation and numerical simulation analysis on the thermal performance of a building roof incorporating phase change material (PCM) for thermal management", Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 28, No. 5-6, pp. 556-565, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2007.04.016.
[3] Chen, C., Guo, H., Liu, Y., Yue, H., Wang, C., "A new kind of phase change material (PCM) for energy-storing wallboard", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 40, No. 5, pp. 882-890, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2007.07.002.
[4] Huang, M.J., Eames, P.C., Hewitt, N.J., "The application of a validated numerical model to predict the energy conservation potential of using phase change materials in the fabric of a building",  Solar Energy Materials & Solar Cells, Vol. 90, No. 12, pp. 1951-1960, 2006,  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solmat.2006.02.002.
[5] Nagano, K., Takeda, S., Mochida, T., Shimakura, K., Nakdamura, T., "Study of a floor supply air conditioning system using granular phase change material to augment building mass thermal storage – heat response in small scale experiment",  Energy and Buildings, Vol. 36, No. 4, pp. 436-446, 2010, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2005.07.010.
[6] Farid, M.M., Chen, X.D., "Domestic electric space heating with heat storage", Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A: Journal of Power and Energy, Vol. 213, No. 2, pp. 83-92, 1999, https://doi.org/10.1243/0957650991537455.
[7] Aryal, A., Chaiwiwatworakul, P., Chirarattananon, S., "An experimental study of thermal performance of the radiant ceiling cooling in office building in Thailand", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 283, p. 112849, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112849.
[8] Nong, R., Zhang, L., Tang, X., Su, X., Tang, X., "Thermal performance study of PCM embedded radiant cooling ceiling assisted by infrared-transparent silicon wafers", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 321, pp. 114644, 2024.
[9] Shin, M.S., Kim, S.Y., Rhee, K.N., "Cooling capacity evaluation of ceiling radiant cooling panels using thermoelectric module", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 323, p. 114760, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2024.114760.
[10] Skovajsa, J., Drabek, P., Sehnalek, S., "Solution of the modular PCM-based cooling ceiling and ventilation system," Applied Thermal Engineering, Vol. 257, p. 124169, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2024.124169.
[11] Bogatu, D.I., Shinoda, J., Olesen, B.W., Kazanci, O.B., "Cooling performance evaluation of novel radiant ceiling panel containing phase change material (PCM)", Journal of Building Engineering, Vol. 103, p. 112051, 2025, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2025.112051.
[12] Yang, S., Zhang, Y., Zhao, Y., Torres, J.F., Wang, X., "PCM-based ceiling panels for passive cooling in buildings: A CFD modelling", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 285, p. 112898, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2023.112898.
[13] Shi, W., Yang, H., Ma, X., Liu, X., "Techno-economic evaluation and environmental benefit of hybrid evaporative cooling system in hot-humid regions", Sustainable Cities and Society, Vol. 97, p. 104735, 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scs.2023.104735
[14] Soares, N., Costa, J.J., Gaspar, A.R., Santos, P., "Review of passive PCM latent heat thermal energy storage systems towards buildings’ energy efficiency", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 59, pp. 82-103, 2013, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2012.12.042.
[15] Ho, C.J., Gao, Y.W., Yang, T.F., Rashidi, S., Yan, W.M., "Numerical study on forced convection of water-based suspensions of nanoencapsulated PCM particles/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles in a mini-channel heat sink", International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol. 157, pp. 119965, 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2020.119965.
[16] Daly, D., Roth, J., Kokogiannakis, G., McDowell, C., Tibbs, M., Cooper, P., "Energy consumption in Australian primary schools: Influences and metrics", Energy and Buildings, Vol. 277, p. 112549, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112549.
[17] Sinacka, J., Szczechowiak, E., "An experimental study of a thermally activated ceiling containing phase change material for different cooling load profiles", Energies, Vol. 14, p. 7363, 2021, https://doi.org/10.3390/en14217363.
[18] Mirahmad, A., Sadreameli S.M., "Numerical study and simulation of the performance of a phase change material-filled heat exchanger for an air-conditioning system in a residential building located in hot and arid regions of Iran", Scientific Journal of Energy Engineering and Management, Vol. 5, No. 2, pp. 42-51, 2015.
 [19] Center, F. S. E., Gu, L., "ASHRAE standard 140-2004 standard method of test for the evaluation of building energy analysis computer programs: Test results for the DOE-2.1E (v120) that is incorporated in energy gauge summit 3.14", 2007.
[20] Taheri, M., Pourfayaz, F., Habibi, R., Maleki, A.,  "Exergy analysis of charge and discharge processes of thermal energy storage system with various phase change materials: A comprehensive comparison", Journal of Thermal Science, Vol. 33, No. 2, pp. 509-521, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-023-1859-y.
[21] Ahmad, N.A., Lim, C.W., "Simplified model and performance analysis for radiant cooling panel with serpentine tube arrangement and thin insulation layer for moisture control in tropical climate", Journal of Physics: Conference series, Conf. Ser. 1630, p. 012002,  2020, https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/1630/1/012002.
[22] Sleiti, A.K., Naimaster, E.J., "Energy consumption in office buildings with phase change materials", Eleven International Conference on Thermal Engineering: Theory and Applications, Doha, Qatar, February 25-28, 2018.

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