The Use of Environmental-Friendly Phase Change Material in Building Construction

Abstract

The building sector, a major global industry, contributes to 55% of worldwide energy consumption through building operation electricity use. Phase Change Material (PCM), specifically Paraffin Wax with a melting point of 20°C to 40°C, was chosen for this study assessing its thermal properties via Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC). The study anticipates installing 3.3 billion room air conditioners by 2050. Peshawar's climate requires indoor air conditioning for five winter months and summer months, imposing heating and cooling loads, respectively. The study examined PCM's impact on these loads by placing it within the brick boundary wall, focusing on a 14x18x11 feet living room in Peshawar. The overall heat transfer coefficient was determined for varying PCM thicknesses. Heat loss or gain in the air-conditioned room was assessed with and without PCM in the boundary wall, emphasizing one-dimensional transfer through walls, excluding floor and roof. The analysis showed that the difference in heat flow decreased with each unit thickness of PCM, with no significant change observed after changing the thickness from 4 inches to 5 inches. The impact of increasing PCM thickness becomes less significant after a certain thickness, which is called the critical thickness. Using Paraffin wax as a 4 inch PCM could save 2,017 kWh annually and reduce carbon emissions by 778 kg CO2 equivalent.