Experimental and Numerical Testing of Possibilities and Limits for Applications of Phase Changed Materials in Buildings

The paper is aimed atto a study of a possibility to use PCM (Phase Change Materials) to increase the thermal storage properties of buildings. For this purpose, both the experimental testing and computer modelling were performed. The PCM DuPont Energain panel was used for the study of its thermal technical parameters under laboratory conditions. Laboratory testing of the effect of PCM surface treatment showed a double increase in the heat transfer coefficient, but also a decrease of 17 % in the time constant under given conditions. The computer modelling was used for the study of the influence of walls sheathing on the temperature comfort inside the tested room of the wooden house by its passive cooling in summer. Results of the numerical simulations proved influence of the PCM covering. But in the presented model, the PCM covering caused only a slight improvement in the thermal comfort inside the room