Modelling of fatty acids phase change materials for energy storage in building walls

Abstract

Nowadays, with the increase of temperature worldwide, a very competitive technology used for energy storage and consumption is the incorporation of phase change materials (PCM) in building walls. Various PCM materials could be used for reduction of thermal loads and temperature variation with respect to various environmental conditions. A study has been conducted in order to test the optimal position, thickness, and material (CA, CA/PA, and CA/MA) related to a PCM layer implemented in concrete walls of buildings in La Rochelle City. A numerical modelling using the heat capacity method was employed in order to obtain a temperature profile of the buildings. Three case studies were taken into account: 8 days, 1 month, and I year. The optimal factors were found to be 3 cm thickness in the interior position of the building using CA/PA as the specific material. This material was able to reduce the temperature from a maximum of 40°C to a temperature ranging between 20°C and 25°C.