Development of PCM-gypsum plasterboard integrated transpired solar collector for building envelopes

  • Maitiniyazi Bake

    Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

    Abstract

    It has been reported that over a third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions stem from the operation of buildings (energy production and use; heat and air conditioners). One of the key challenges identified by the UK government is to halve the lifetime carbon emissions of buildings. This can only be done by designing energy efficient buildings where the envelope plays an active role.

    The research has developed a methodology to integrate thermal energy storage along with a transpired solar collector for efficient envelope design. The energy storage part was developed by incorporating micro-encapsulated Phase Change Material (MPCM) into gypsum plasterboard in the back wall of a transpired solar collector (TSC). In this thesis, the works conducted (i) an extensive literature review on the classification/importance of building envelopes, energy storage technology, TSC technology, the integration of PCMs into building envelope components and TSCs; (ii) the design/fabrication of absorber plates and PCM-gypsum plasterboard, including examining the physical/thermal properties of such a plasterboard; (iii) an in-lab experimental investigation of key parameters influencing building envelope performance and the charging/discharging of PCM-gypsum plasterboard; and (iv) validation of the numerical model and parametric study investigating the impact of key parameters on building envelope performance to highlight the benefits of using PCM-gypsum plasterboard as part of a building envelope.

    The characterisation results showed that increasing the PCM proportion reduced the bulk density and compressive strength and increased the thermal conductivity of the PCM-gypsum plasterboard. The experimental study presented that the airflow rate had the most significant influence on building envelope performance and increasing the airflow rate reduced the outlet temperature. The parametric study presented that the highest airflow rate (50m3/hr) had the lowest outlet temperature of 35°C during PCM charging and the highest heat releasing rate during the discharging process. The building envelope with PCM-gypsum plasterboard delivered an outlet temperature of 18°C, that was 6°C higher than the one provided by the building envelope with gypsum plasterboard. Therefore, it is recommended that integrating TSC with PCM-gypsum plasterboard to be used in building envelope design is a potential approach to deliver energy savings.
    Date of AwardSept 2021
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • Coventry University
    SupervisorAshish Shukla (Supervisor) & Shuli Liu (Supervisor)

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