Covering peak loads with phase change materials in a geothermal and desiccant assisted air conditioning system

摘要

In a geothermal and desiccant assisted air conditioning system at Hamburg University of Technologycovering thermal peak loads by means of phase change materials (PCM) is investigated. In theconsequence of high ambient temperatures the cooling power of the soil can be exceeded and abackup system is necessary. In this study experimental data of a backup system consisting of PCMencapsulated in plates and placed in a rack is presented. A computer case fan is used to induce avolume flow through the PCM rack. Results show that the PCM rack is able to locally focus coolingoperation and as a result improve thermal comfort perception. An air temperature reduction ofapproximately 0.7 – 0.9 ℃ at an average cooling power of 26.58 W can be achieved. The COPaccounts for 6.65 with a corresponding electricity consumption of 4 W.