Periodic heat transfer and load levelling of heat flux through a PCCM thermal storage wall/roof in an air-conditioned building

This communication presents an investigation of the thermal behaviour of a phase changing component material (PCCM) wall/roof which is exposed on one side to periodic solar radiation and atmospheric temperature and on the other side is in contact with room air at constant temperature. A periodic heat transfer analysis for PCCM slab has been developed (assuming effective thermal properties of PCCM) to assess the load levelling of the periodic heat flux and thermal storage characteristics of a PCCM wall/roof. It is found that a PCCM wall of thickness which is even less than that of an ordinary masonry concrete wall is more desirable for providing efficient thermal energy storage and maximum load levelling and hence is suitable for providing excellent thermal comfort in an air-conditioned building. Both the load levelling and storage duration increase with the decrease of melting temperature and increase of the latent heat of fusion of the PCCM.