I have been thinking how best PCM can be applied to building materials for better thermal performance of buildings.
If added to floor tiles or wall tiles, this could be the low hanging fruit applications plus large surface area.
what if added to mortar for plastering, this provides even a larger surface area and no-worries on strength reduction as a major issue as seen in the literature.
what if added to wall boards, will that be a great idea?
In all, the flammability of PCM might be an issue. What if we try bio based PCM (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352710223001602) or salt hydrate?
Please what do you think? Let’s discuss
Abdulmalik,
I think that there's some merit in this - I've used encapsulated PCMs (paraffins in tiny microspheres: https://www.pcmproducts.net/Encapsulated_PCMs.htm) in battery enclosures - but the cost is problematic for large scale deployment.
Where the cost of a panel/structure is already high, or there's a unique challenge that conventional insulation cannot solve, I think that there's scope for using PCMs.
Salts would certainly avoid the flammability issue - I just am struggling to think of a situation that a conventional insulation can't solve.
Yes James, You are absolutely correct on the cost that’s why I opted for biobased PCm cos it is cheaper. Also, the microcapsule I used is from waste coal burning power plants, hence less expensive.
You can read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352710223001602
Abdulmalik,
Fascinating - thank you! A tantalizing preview of a paper that promises much.
- Badges
- Science topic
- Similar topics
- Heat