An experimental study on thermal performance Characteristics of a hut enhanced by phase change material in Shanghai

Abstract

The application of phase change materials in building envelopes has shown great potential to reduce energy consumption. However, current research is typically limited to short-term experimental data (1–3 day s) or data obtained from a small number of measurement points, and lack monitoring of the thermal behavior of phase change materials, which are insufficient to provide a reliable basis for practical applications. This study addresses this gap by constructing two outdoor huts in Shanghai. Both huts equipped with fan heaters controlled by temperature controller to maintain appropriate indoor temperature. One of the huts integrated phase change material into the hollow polycarbonate sheets and porous bricks for the roof and walls, respectively. Over 15 days in April, an in-depth analysis was conducted on the long-term thermal response of the phase change material, roof, and walls, the operational details, and electricity consumption of two fan heaters in both huts to assess the impact of phase change material on thermal performance and building operational energy consumption. Results indicate that applying phase change material significantly improved thermal stability of walls, reducing the average daily amplitude of temperature fluctuations within walls from 6.9–7.3 °C to 5.4–6.0 °C. The phase change material at different positions showed positive effects over a long period, with the roof application delaying the occurrence of peak temperature in the hollow polycarbonate sheet holes by an average of 62 min daily. The paraffin wax on the north wall exhibited optimal performance, maintaining effective thermal regulation for 18.4–24 h before April 14th. Additionally, the integration of phase change material-enhanced energy efficiency, resulting in a 27.8 % reduction in electricity consumption. This study investigated the energy storage behavior of phase change material in various building locations under the combined effects of the outdoor environment and fan heater over 15 days, contributing to enhanced energy performance of building during transitional seasons.