Abstract :
Thermal performance of two phase change material (PCM) composites, mixed type PCM-gypsum and shape-stabilized PCM plates,
has been numerically evaluated in a passive solar building in Beijing with an enthalpy model. Effects of the melting temperature and
phase transition zone of the PCM are analyzed and a comparison between the two types of PCM composites is performed. The results
show that: (1) for the present conditions, the optimal melting temperature is about 21 C; (2) PCM composites with a narrow phase transition
zone provide better thermal performance; (3) both mixed type PCM-gypsum and shape-stabilized PCM plates effectively shave the
indoor temperature swing by 46% and 56%, respectively; (4) the shape-stabilized phase change material (SSPCM) plates respond more
rapidly than the mixed type PCM-gypsum and prove to be thermally more effective in terms of utilizing the latent heat.
2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
