Numerical study of a composite Trombe solar wall integrating microencapsulated PCM

First, this article introduces a comparison between experimental results and the results issued from a numerical model of a composite Trombe solar wall incorporating a concrete storage wall with the help of the Dymola/Modelica software. The validation of the model is realized from the comparison between simulated and measured heat flux, external and internal surface temperatures and fluid temperatures in a ventilated air layer. Then, the numerical model is used to simulate a composite solar wall where the concrete storage wall is replaced by a mortar mixed with microencapsulated phase change material (PCM). This allows to study and compare the thermal behavior and the energy performances of the two composite solar walls. (C) 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.