Determination of the inner forms of hollow blocks containing phase-changing material for different climate regions

Abstract

Hollow blocks are used widely in buildings for their lightweight construction and high thermal resistance characteristics. When used with a phase change material (PCM), these blocks can reduce the heating and cooling loads of buildings compared to conventional hollow blocks. However, it is essential that the block inner forms and PCMs should be selected based on climate conditions. In this study, hollow blocks containing PCM in different climate types are thermally analysed. In the first step, ten different formed blocks are thermally analysed. In these blocks, the effects of hollow ratio (HR), inner form, and the number of cavities on heat flux and temperature distribution are investigated. The inner form of the hollow block with the least heat flux is determined in this step. The second step consists of optimization for the PCM melting temperature and layer thickness for the different provinces. The optimization results are evaluated on a building in terms of primary energy consumption and global costs. The best performing locations of the PCMs within the block are defined for all provinces in the last step. The results of the study are discussed in terms of the block surface temperatures and liquid fraction. The best PCM locations are found close to the block’s centerline in hot and warm climates and close to the indoor side in cold climates.

Keywords

• Hollow block form
• Thermal analysis
• Phase changing material
• Optimization
• Energy saving