PCM incorporation into a cavity wall as an insulator and phase shifter: Experimental investigations and numerical modeling

This paper deals with an experimental and numerical study of the effect of PCM incorporation into a building's wall on indoor air temperature. The macro-encapsulated PCM was integrated into the vertical wall of a laboratory test cell. Another test cell that lacks the PCM was considered the reference. Measurement of the air temperature inside the test cells shows the PCM role to delay heat transfer through the wall as well as to decrease the indoor air temperature peak. Furthermore, a numerical model was built and experimentally calibrated and validated. Numerical simulation results show that many factors should be studied before the incorporation of the PCM, mainly its position, type and layer thickness. Compared to insulation materials used in building, PCM can be used as smart insulation material due to its low thermal conductivity and as a phase shifter leading to a passive temperature control.