Abstract
This study presents the analysis of phase change material (PCM)-based solar air heating system to achieve comfort conditions in a living space during winter season. The technical feasibility of PCM-based solar air heating system has been demonstrated, thus reducing the risks due to indoor air pollution caused by the use of fossil fuel or biomass combustion devices. The most sensitive parameters affecting the performance of storage unit are the melting point of storage material, mass of PCM, and airflow rate. The simulation results considering various flow rates and melting temperature of PCM indicate that, when melting temperature of PCM is equal to the comfort temperature of all the winter months, the storage unit performance is maximized for all the months during winter season. A new parameter, heating capacity of the PCM, has been introduced to illustrate the performance of the PCM storage.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study is supported and funded by Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC).