Energy savings potential by integrating Phase Change Material into hollow bricks: The case of Moroccan buildings

The building sector in Morocco represents 25% of the country’s total energy consumption. The poor thermal performance of the building envelopes is one of the principal reasons for this consumption rate. In this study, the efficiency of integrating Phase Change Materials (PCM) into hollow bricks used in three typical housing types in the six climate zones in Morocco is investigated. The numerical model is based on the heat transfer equation and the apparent heat capacity formulation to model the phase change. A heat flux analysis is performed at the internal surface of the wall, giving a good understanding of the thermal behavior of hollow bricks with PCMs compared with hollow bricks with air. The results show that the heat flux density at the internal face of the wall is constant when the PCM is partially solid/liquid, and follows the outdoor conditions when the PCM is fully solid or fully liquid. Irrespective of the climate zone, the PCM with a 32 °C median melting temperature reduces the heat flux peak value in the hotel housing while the PCM with a 37 °C median melting temperature is better for the individual and collective housing. On the other hand, the PCM with a 27 °C median melting temperature is able to save up to 25% and 40% of energy consumption in the Saharan climate and oceanic climate, respectively.