Utilization of Phase Change Materials (PCM) to Reduce Energy Consumption in Buildings

摘要

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using Phase Change Materials (PCM) to achieve energy savings for the Air Force. This was accomplished through both analytical and experimental work. The experimental work included a variety of configurations representing installation of PCM in a typical wall construction as well as in a typical air handling plenum. These configurations were installed in a calorimetric room with a constant heat source. The temperature of the room was plotted versus time to determine the ability of the PCM to absorb the energy. The analytical work focused on developing analytical models of the heat transfer and phase transition characteristics of the material.