Full-scale study of a building equipped with a multi-layer rack latent heat thermal energy storage system

Phase change material has been installed as a latent heat thermal energy storage system coupled with the ventilation system in an office building located in Lyon, France. The main purpose of this study is to determine if the phase change material system can guarantee the summer comfort of the occupants without energy-consuming cooling devices. Sensors have been set up, and the collected data are monitored to study the thermal behavior of the building and the phase change material. Numerical simulations complete the work to study and compare the building behavior without phase change material. The temperature charts in each office show that the thermal comfort of the workers is acceptable in winter and summer. Numerical results show a difference of temperature in offices due to the ventilation through the crawl space equipped with the phase change material multi-layer racks. The temperature in the crawl space varies between 12 degrees C and 25 degrees C (53.6 degrees F and 77 degrees F) all through the year. It is then possible to conclude that the new ventilation system is efficient for the precooling or preheating of air.