PCM incorporation in a concrete core slab as a thermal storage and supply system: proof of concept

Phase change materials (PCM) have been widely implemented in buildings envelope as passive system as well as in storage tanks for active systems. A new promising technology has been designed to act as a hybrid system between the passive and active ones. The main idea is using the internal slab as a...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Navarro Farré, Lidia, Gracia Cuesta, Alvaro de, Castell, Albert, Álvarez, Servando, Cabeza, Luisa F.
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión aceptada para publicación
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Varias* (Consorci de Biblioteques Universitáries de Catalunya, Centre de Serveis Científics i Acadèmics de Catalunya)
Repositorio:Recercat. Dipósit de la Recerca de Catalunya
OAI Identifier:oai:recercat.cat:10459.1/57191
Acceso en línea:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enbuild.2015.06.028
http://hdl.handle.net/10459.1/57191
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Thermal energy storage (TES)
Phase change materials (PCM)
Concrete core slab
Building
Descripción
Sumario:Phase change materials (PCM) have been widely implemented in buildings envelope as passive system as well as in storage tanks for active systems. A new promising technology has been designed to act as a hybrid system between the passive and active ones. The main idea is using the internal slab as a thermal energy storage system to cover partially the energetic demand both during heating and cooling periods. This innovative constructive system consists of a prefabricated concrete slab with PCM macroencapsulated in small tubes and inserted in its hollows. A direct cross-flow heat exchange occurs between the air pumped into the slab and the PCM for conditioning purposes. A prototype has been implemented in a two storey house-like cubicle and has been tested under real conditions, where the slab becomes a thermal storage and supply component. The objective is to study the thermal performance of the slab and its components, in a theoretical analysis, as well as the suitability of the system in a Mediterranean continental climate. The concept was proved experimentally and compared to the theoretical results to demonstrate the potential of the technology. However, experimental results remarked the importance of a further investigation under real operating conditions.