Optimization of an Air-PCM heat exchanger and elaboration of peakpower reduction strategies

Journal article, 2015

Phase Change Materials (PCM) technology can be used for thermal storage and peak load shaving. Thispaper presents the optimization study of a PCM-Air heat exchanger as well as the development of loadshifting solutions which take into account the thermal comfort of the occupants and the indoor air quality.The exchanger contains macroencapsumated PCM (paraffin) and is conceived in a way that facilitates itsintegration in a ventilation system. It is aimed to shift space heating electrical consumption from peakto off-peak period.
The study is performed using an experimentally validated numerical model based on the heat bal-ance approach and the apparent heat capacity method. Several parameters were investigated duringthe optimization processes, including heat exchanger dimensions, PCM quantity and properties, seek-ing the configuration with the optimal compromise between stored heat and the time needed for thecharging/discharging process.
The numerical model was coupled to a building simulation model with several control strategiesinvestigating different scenarios over a one- month winter period. The scenarios vary with increasingcomplexity, first considering load shifting and thermal comfort, then adding the final price of electricityconsumption and finally taking into account the indoor air quality.