Numerical Studies on PCM Phase Change Performance in Bricks for Energy-Efficient Building Application – A Review

Mohd Irwan Mohd Azmi; Nor Azwadi Che Sidik; Yutaka Asako; Wan Mohd Arif Aziz Japar; Nura Muaz Muhammad; Nadlene Razali

Authors

Mohd Irwan Mohd Azmi Takasago Thermal & Environmental Systems (TTES) Laboratory, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nor Azwadi Che Sidik Takasago Thermal & Environmental Systems (TTES) Laboratory, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Yutaka Asako Takasago Thermal & Environmental Systems (TTES) Laboratory, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wan Mohd Arif Aziz Japar Takasago Thermal & Environmental Systems (TTES) Laboratory, Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology (MJIIT) Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nura Muaz Muhammad Faculty of Engineering, Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil, PMB 3244, Kano, Nigeria
Nadlene Razali Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka (UTeM), Malaysia

Keywords:

Phase Change Material (PCM) Brick, Energy-Efficient Building

Abstract

Phase change material (PCM) is widely impregnated in energy-efficient building envelopes for heat modulation with the ultimate objective of energy saving. Recently, PCM filled bricks have been tested for the same purpose. Only a handful of research are available which study on the PCM phase change performance as a latent heat storage (LHS). This review intends to give an overview on numerical studies conducted to measure PCM phase change performance in these special bricks developed for energy-efficient buildings. Only organic PCM phase change performance has been tested. The approach used in the numerical studies were enthalpy-porosity method and lattice Boltzmann method. Mainly the studies found that natural convection in the domain provides the biggest influence in determining the PCM phase change performance. PCM filled bricks have been proven to be able to provide heat modulation in energy-efficient buildings. However, more research should be conducted to further understand the phase change phenomena of PCM inside the brick to enable improvement. The design of the brick and selection of PCM is crucial in optimizing the LHS performance. Future research should consider other important elements such as brick development cost, PCM light transparency and PCM environmental impact.