Effects of winter climate parameters on the thermal performance of dynamic rotating latent-energy-storage envelope (DRLESE)

Abstract

The accurate application of the Dynamic Rotating Latent-Energy-Storage Envelope (DRLESE) system necessitates careful consideration of outdoor climate conditions, which significantly impacted latent heat operation of Phase-Change Materials. The effects of climate parameters were explored by considering five convective heat transfer coefficients ranging from 10 W/(m·K) to 30 W/(m·K), six daily solar radiation intensities ranging from 15.0 MJ/Day to 30.0 MJ/Day, six air average temperatures ranging from −10.0°C to 15°C, and six fluctuation ranges of air temperature ranging from 5°C to 20°C. The thermal performance of the DRLESE system was evaluated by employing the liquid fraction of Phase-Change Materials (PCM), the thermal quantity of DRLESE, and the inner surface heat flow. The numerical results demonstrated that climate parameters have a profound effect on the thermal performance of the DRLESE system. Enhancing convective heat transfer coefficient or lowering outdoor air temperature can significantly attenuate thermal performance by promoting convective thermal dissipation, while increasing daily solar radiation intensity can provide ample solar radiation for absorption by the DRLESE system. With convective heat transfer coefficient increased from 10 W/(m²·K) to 20 W/(m²·K), the daily solar radiation intensity increased from 15MJ/Day to 30MJ/Day, outdoor air temperature increased from −10°C to 15°C, the fluctuation range increased from 5°C to 20°C, indoor effective thermal release was increased −55.38 %, 204.66 %, 241.00 % and 8.11 %, respectively. In addition, employing the transparent covers and selecting the appropriate PCM were recommended to enhance thermal performance of the DRLESE system.