Influence of new thermal storage schemes based on modular phase change floors on building heating performance

Wang, Tianyu, Wang, Haichao and Luo, Zhiwen ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2082-3958 2025. Influence of new thermal storage schemes based on modular phase change floors on building heating performance. Journal of Energy Storage 121 , 116520. 10.1016/j.est.2025.116520

PDF - Published Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (8MB)

Abstract

The application of convenient modular construction has become a popular building approach. The modularity of phase change floors (PCFs) provides the possibility for flexible heating and energy storage in buildings. This study designs two new thermal storage schemes based on modular PCFs: cascade and partial thermal storage to enhance the PCFs' heating performance. A PCF simulation model is developed and verified by comparing ANSYS simulation results and experimental measurements. Then, heating and cooling processes of PCF heating rooms using different heating methods (full/local) and thermal storage schemes (full/cascade/partial) are comparatively analyzed. The results show that at full heating, the room's thermal comfort is reduced with cascade and partial thermal storage compared to full thermal storage, but the energy efficiency and economic performance are improved with partial thermal storage. Localized overheating of the floor surface occurs with cascade/partial thermal storage. While cascade thermal storage can enhance the melting of phase change materials (PCMs), low-temperature PCMs are prone to incomplete solidification. Partial thermal storage can save up to 2 % of energy over full thermal storage. In addition, with local heating, changes in thermal storage schemes essentially do not affect the room's thermal comfort. Partial thermal storage still offers the best energy efficiency and economic performance. It has a payback period of less than 6.5 years, which is about 2.6 years shorter than full thermal storage. Rooms with different heating methods have different suitable thermal storage schemes.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Schools > Architecture
Publisher:	Elsevier
ISSN:	2352-152X
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	7 April 2025
Date of Acceptance:	31 March 2025
Last Modified:	07 May 2025 13:30
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/177468

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item