Invention:
This invention is a method of reducing energy consumption related to space cooling and heating in a building by incorporating phase change material in geopolymer concrete wall. The results are very promising and indicate that the geopolymer concrete with incorporated PCM shows only little decrease of the compressive strength and is very effective in controlling heat flow.
Background:
Extensive research has been conducted on different methods for enhancing the energy efficiency related to space heating and cooling in buildings. Of these different methods, utilization of phase change material (PCM) has attracted the most attention. PCM has high latent heat capacity and can absorb or release large amount of heat within a narrow temperature range. By incorporating PCM with a suitable phase transition temperature and enthalpy in the exterior walls of a building, on daytime the PCM will prevent too much outside heat from entering the building by changing phase to store the extra solar heat as “latent heat” and at night the PCM will release the stored heat into the building if the inside temperature is too low. The results are a more comfortable inside environment with fewer temperature peaks and valleys, and a reduction in energy demand for cooling and heating.
Advantages:
- The geopolymer concrete wall incorporated with PCM in buildings will flatten the fluctuation of indoor temperature.
- Reduce the energy consumption for cooling and heating and greenhouse gas emissions.
- Proven to have social, environmental, and economical impacts that are significantly beneficial.
Applications:
- Building materials
- Insulating materials