Low-Cost Phase Change Material for Building Envelopes

Abhari, Ramin¹ 

[1] Renewable Energy Group

关键词: PCM;    building envelope;   

DOI  :  10.2172/1208635
RP-ID  :  DE-EE0003924
PID  :  OSTI ID: 1208635

学科分类：能源（综合）

美国|英语

来源: SciTech Connect

【 摘 要 】

A low-cost PCM process consisting of conversion of fats and oils to PCM-range paraffins, and subsequent ???encapsulation??? of the paraffin using conventional plastic compounding/pelletizing equipment was demonstrated. The PCM pellets produced were field-tested in a building envelope application. This involved combining the PCM pellets with cellulose insulation, whereby 33% reduction in peak heat flux and 12% reduction in heat gain was observed (average summertime performance). The selling price of the PCM pellets produced according to this low-cost process is expected to be in the $1.50-$3.00/lb range, compared to current encapsulated PCM price of about $7.00/lb. Whole-building simulations using corresponding PCM thermal analysis data suggest a payback time of 8 to 16 years (at current energy prices) for an attic insulation retrofit project in the Phoenix climate area.