Thermal Performance Evaluation of Lightweight Walls Integrated with Phase Change Materials
Introduction
The typical unit lightweight walls (mainly thermal insulation materials) were taken as the research object, this book seeks to ascertain the basic scientific problem of the influence laws and suitability of different PCM thermo-physical parameters on the thermal performance of lightweight walls under different thermal boundaries through theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and experiment. Beginning with a systematic review of previous research, it establishes a detailed mathematical heat transfer model, introduces evaluation indexes, and conducts an in-depth analysis of the effects of various PCM thermo-physical parameters under different wall structures, thermal boundaries, and climatic conditions. Further, through the construction of small-scale experimental buildings and extensive numerical simulations using EnergyPlus, the energy-saving potential and economic viability of PCM-integrated lightweight walls are thoroughly assessed across diverse environments. The research findings offer a theoretical framework and practical guidelines for applying PCM in lightweight buildings.
978-1-78521-458-5
Chapter 1. Research on background, review and purpose
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Research background
1.1.2 PCM characteristics and types
1.2 Literature review
1.2.1 Study on PCM integrated into different walls
1.2.2 Contribution of PCM to building energy-saving under different climates
1.2.3 Study on suitable thermo-physical parameters of PCM
1.2.4 Summary of research status
1.3 Purpose and content overview of this study
References
Chapter 2. Theoretical analysis of the causes of overheating in lightweight buildings and heat transfer processes in phase-change composite walls
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Heat transfer analysis of lightweight building
2.2.1 Surface heat balance of lightweight envelope
2.2.2 Indoor air heat balance
2.2.3 Indoor thermal environment analysis of lightweight building
2.3 Heat transfer analysis of phase-change composite walls
2.3.1 Heat transfer characteristics of the building envelope (wall)
2.3.2 Thermal characteristics of phase-change composite walls
2.3.3 Theoretical analysis of heat transfer of phase-change composite wall
2.3.4 Boundary condition setting
2.3.5 Model validation
2.3.6 Evaluation indexes
2.4 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 3. Effect of PCM parameters on the thermal performance of lightweight wall
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Methodology
3.2.1 Physical model description
3.2.2 Indoor and outdoor thermal boundary description
3.3 Selection of phase-transition temperature of PCM
3.4 Effects of other parameters of PCM
3.4.1 Effect of the PCM location
3.4.2 Effect of the PCM thickness
3.4.3 Effect of the PCM latent heat
3.4.4 Effect of the thermal conductivity coefficient of PCM
3.4.5 Effect of the PCM density
3.4.6 Effect of the PCM specific heat
3.5 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 4. Influence of PCM parameters on the thermal performance of lightweight wall with different thermal resistances
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Material and methods
4.2.1 Research flow
4.2.2 Physical model
4.2.3 Thermal boundaries
4.3 Effect and selection of PCM phase-transition temperatures
4.3.1 Effect of PCM phase-transition temperatures on the inner surface temperature of walls
4.3.2 The variation of liquid fraction under different phase-transition temperatures
4.4 Effect of other PCM parameters on evaluation indexes under different thermal resistance of original walls (Rwt)
4.4.1 Effect of the PCM location under different Rwt
4.4.2 Effect of the PCM thickness under different Rwt
4.4.3 Effect of the PCM latent heat under different Rwt
4.4.4 Effect of the thermal conductivity coefficient of PCM under different Rwt
4.5 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 5. Thermal performance analysis of lightweight wall in different directions integrated with PCM
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Physical model and thermal boundaries
5.2.1 Physical model description
5.2.2 Experimental system and indoor and outdoor thermal boundaries
5.2.3 Model validation
5.3 Selection of phase-transition temperature of PCM for walls in different directions
5.4 Effect of the other PCM parameters on the walls of different directions
5.4.1 Effect of the PCM location on the walls of different directions
5.4.2 Effect of the PCM thickness on the walls of different directions
5.4.3 Effect of the PCM latent heat on the walls of different directions
5.4.4 Effect of the thermal conductivity coefficient of PCM on the walls of different directions
5.5 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 6. Effectiveness of different kinds/configurations of PCM for improving the thermal performance of lightweight wall in summer and winter
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Physical model and boundary conditions
6.2.1 Physical model
6.2.2 Boundary conditions
6.3 Utilization versus effectiveness of the PCM under different models
6.3.1 The variation of temperature and liquid fraction of PCM with different models
6.3.2 Effectiveness of different models
6.4 Utilization versus effectiveness of the PCM under different transition ranges
6.4.1 The variation of liquid fraction of PCM and inner surface temperature with different transition ranges
6.4.2 Effectiveness of different transition ranges of PCM
6.5 Effectiveness of the PCM under different thicknesses
6.6 Effectiveness of the PCM under different latent heats
6.7 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 7. Effect of PCM on the thermal performance of lightweight wall and indoor thermal environment under natural conditions
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Material and methods
7.2.1 Experimental system description
7.2.2 Experimental equipment and test methods
7.2.3 Evaluation indicators
7.3 Experimental result and analysis
7.3.1 Summer conditions
7.3.2 Transitional season conditions
7.3.3 Winter conditions
7.3.4 Indoor temperature analysis
7.3.5 Energy saving potential analysis
7.4 Scope and limitations
7.5 Summary
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 8. Impact and economic evaluation of the lightweight wall using PCM are used in building on reducing energy demands
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Methodology
8.2.1 Climate zones division and representative cities
8.2.2 Physical model and boundary conditions
8.2.3 Orthogonal experiment
8.2.4 Numerical simulation
8.2.5 Model validation
8.3 Analysis of energy simulation results
8.3.1 Energy simulation results for reference building in different climates/cities
8.3.2 Energy simulation results for each typical city based on orthogonal experiment
8.4 Optimal level and influence degree of each factor under different climates/cities
8.4.1 Suitability level of each factor
8.4.2 Influence degree of each factor
8.5 PCM optimal configuration and energy-saving evaluation based on orthogonal experiment
8.5.1 Energy-saving and suitability of different PCM configurations (single and double layer)
8.5.2 Energy-saving for different PCM amounts (thickness and utilization area)
8.6 Economic analysis of energy-saving strategies
8.6.1 Payback period based on PCM cost price
8.6.2 Acceptable cost price for PCM based on payback period
8.7 Summary
Appendix
References
Nomenclature
Chapter 9. Conclusions
Author(s) Information
LIU Zu’an, Ph.D. in Engineering, is a member of the Sichuan Society of Power Engineering and holds an H-index of 13 (Google Scholar). He received his doctoral degree in Environmental Engineering (Architectural Design) from the University of Kitakyushu (Japan), in September 2023. In November 2023, he joined Xuzhou University of Technology as a faculty member through a high-level talent recruitment program, engaging in both teaching and research. Dr. Liu’s research focuses on green building technologies, optimization of the physical environment in buildings and urban areas, and the study and application of phase change energy storage technologies. His main research achievements have been published in top-tier international journals, including Renewable Energy, Building and Environment, Applied Thermal Engineering, Journal of Building Engineering, and Case Studies in Thermal Engineering. Since 2019, he has published more than 30 high-quality academic papers, among which 25 have been indexed by SCI/EI, of which, 14 SCI-indexed papers (nine top-tier journals) were published as the first or corresponding author. Several research findings have made notable contributions to the fields of phase change materials application and thermal management in buildings. He is the principal investigator of a Youth Program project funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province and has participated as a core member in four other provincial or ministerial-level projects and two industry-funded projects. He holds one authorized patent, has contributed to the compilation of a textbook titled Green Building Design, and has assisted his supervisors in mentoring four doctoral and master’s students. Meanwhile, he serves as a peer reviewer for several SCI-indexed international journals, including Building and Environment, Journal of Energy Storage, Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, Heritage Science, Case Studies in Construction Materials, Scientific Reports, and Energy Efficiency. In July 2023, he received the “2022 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad” from the China Scholarship Council (CSC), an honor awarded to approximately 600 recipients worldwide. Moreover, he was invited to serve as a session chair at the 18th International Symposium and Conference of the Asian Institute of Urban Environment (AIUE) and the 3rd International Conference of Innovation Institute for Sustainable Maritime Architecture Research and Technology (iSMART), where he was presented with the “Outstanding Contribution Award.” In October 2024, he was awarded the Xuzhou Award for Excellent Academic Papers in Natural Sciences. Since April 2024, he has served as a “Think Tank Expert Advisor” in the Chinese PhD Scholars Association in the Consular District of Yekaterinburg, Russia.
HOU Jiawen, Ph.D. in Engineering, is currently a lecturer at Xuzhou University of Technology. Her primary research interests include passive building technologies, phase change energy storage systems, and the optimization of urban thermal environments. In recent years, her work has increasingly focused on the application of passive building strategies to mitigate health risks associated with indoor thermal conditions, aiming to promote the integration of green, healthy buildings and climate-resilient urban development. She has published more than 20 SCI/EI-indexed papers, including 11 SCI articles as the first or corresponding author, 5 of which are in top-tier journals such as Renewable Energy and Applied Thermal Engineering. Her work has been cited 561 times according to Google Scholar, with an h-index of 11. Dr. Hou has served as a key researcher in several provincial-level research projects, including the Youth Program project funded by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province and the Sichuan Provincial Department of Education. She serves as a peer reviewer for top journals such as Sustainable Cities and Society and Energy and Buildings. In 2023, she received the “2022 Chinese Government Award for Outstanding Self-financed Students Abroad” from the China Scholarship Council (awarded to only 600 recipients globally), also chaired sessions at the 18th International Symposium and Conference of the Asian Institute of Urban Environment (AIUE) and the 3rd International Conference of Innovation Institute for Sustainable Maritime Architecture Research and Technology (iSMART), and was honored with the “Outstanding Contribution Award”. In October 2024, she received two Outstanding Academic Paper Awards in Natural Sciences from Xuzhou.
