Phase change materials (PCMs) are only used sporadically in construction, although various products and systems have been available on the market for several years now. The PCM Demo II research project therefore intends to test and scientifically evaluate the practicality of PCMs in buildings. A sub-project is focussing on PCMs in ventilation systems. For this purpose, such systems are being incorporated in commonly used buildings and their performance investigated.

Phase change materials (PCM) in buildings have been an area of research for many years. They can help improve indoor comfort and the efficiency of ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems. In a first fundamental project from 2006 to 2009, different applications were tested and evaluated in a broadly based EnOB research project. Since then, various products and systems with PCM have become available in the construction industry but they are used only sporadically.

With this research project, the practicality of the available products and systems is now to be tested and scientifically evaluated. The systems are built into normally used buildings and their performance is evaluated. Several research institutes are co-operating with medium-sized enterprises with the aim of promoting the use of innovative materials and building components in the construction and renovation sectors.

This involves the following systems:

In the following, this sub-project deals with PCM in ventilation systems. Phase change materials can be used in passive and active ventilation devices. In passive systems, PCMs cool the supply air and absorb heat while doing so. The phase change material “discharges” outside the usage period, so during the night, with the inflowing cool outside air. A fan is required for this discharge. Active systems are also cooled with a cooling fluid (usually a chilled water unit) flowing through them, and can be discharged actively and more quickly. In addition, the cooling effect of the systems can be selectively and rapidly improved at times of high heat levels.

The aim of this project is to establish long-term monitoring for PCM ventilation systems in a number of reference objects in order to evaluate scientifically significant measurement data. This would bring about the conditions required to objectively evaluate the systems and provide suitable application scenarios.

Installation of PCM storage panels for a ventilated cooling ceiling
Ready-installed ventilation system with air outlets for recirculation operation (right)

Research focus

The focus of the project is the investigation of passive and active ventilation systems with PCM for space cooling. On the basis of measurement data, robust system parameters are identified and the energy potential of such systems is examined.

During the project, so-called compact PCM ventilation storage devices and PCM parapet modules are being examined in office rooms, in addition to a rear-ventilated cooling ceiling in a meeting room. The rear-ventilated cooling ceiling with PCM had already been installed during a previous project. A cooling capacity of 15-30 W/m2 at a room temperature of 26-28 °C was demonstrated. Now, the regeneration of the PCM is to be optimised by means of night ventilation.

The PCM systems will be monitored for a longer period once the measurement equipment has been set up. This period is divided into two phases. For one, the measurements are carried out under real usage conditions. Then, measurement data is collected under defined conditions without any user influence, for example on weekends. The latter allows for a determination of system characteristics, the former serves to record user behaviour, system performance and user acceptance.

Research focus The focus of the sub-project was the investigation of passive and active ventilation systems with PCM for room cooling. Reliable system parameters were determined on the basis of measurement data and the energy potential of such systems was investigated. In addition to a rear-ventilated cooling ceiling with PCM in a meeting room, PCM compact ventilation storage units and PCM parapet modules in offices were also investigated as part of the project. The rear-ventilated cooling ceiling with PCM was already installed as part of a previous project. Here, cooling capacities of 15-30 W/m² at room temperatures of 26-28°C could be determined. Now the regeneration of the PCM was to be optimised by means of night ventilation. Ceiling air inlets and automatic actuator for opening the windows for regeneration operation
Cooling capacity of the ventilated cooling ceiling with PCM as a function of the operative room temperature

Application

For several years now, various products and systems have been available on the market, including the following systems examined in the research project:

  • PCM storage plate: The manufacturer Rubitherm can fit various PCMs onto this metal encapsulation to allow for various application scenarios.
  • PCM compact storage: The storage system made by Rubitherm is fitted with PCM storage plates and can be used in ventilation systems.
  • PCM storage element: As part of the project, the manufacturer va-Q-tec will develop phase change materials as well as suitable encapsulations for use in buildings.
Last update:
22.11.2021

At a glance

Short title: EnOB: Verbundvorhaben PCM in Demonstrationsanwendungen (PCM-Demo II)
Funding number: 03ET1240M
Topics: Buildings, Energy supply in buildings and districts
Running time: June 2015 till June 2019

Contact

Project coordination, accompanying research and scientific public relations work
Bayerisches Zentrum für Angewandte Energieforschung ZAE
http://www.zae-bayern.de

Tel.: +49(0)931-70564-0

PCM und Verkapselung, Kompaktspeicher
Rubitherm Technologies GmbH
http://www.rubitherm.com
info@rubitherm.com
Tel.: +49(30)720004-62

PCM und Verkapselung
va-Q-tec AG
http://www.va-q-tec.com

Tel.: +49(0)931-359420

Final report on the project

TIB Hannover

Final report