Numerical investigation of photothermal performance of glazed window integrated with airflow channel and phase change material

ABSTRACT

Double-glazed window coupled with phase change material (PCM) improves the thermal inertia and heat storage capacity, but the inefficient utilization of latent heat stored in PCM restricts the application in cold regions in winter. To surmount the deficiencies, a PCM ventilation window (PCMVW) with an airflow channel installed outside is proposed, in which the external ambient air enters the room after being heated by the PCM layer to realize the adequate utilization and recovery of the energy stored in the PCM. A two-dimensional model was established to investigate the photothermal performance of PCMVW in winter. Then, the effects of airflow rate and PCM melting point on the photothermal performance of PCMVW are analyzed. The results show that the thermal performance of the structure achieves significant enhancement with the airflow channel installed, which saves 521 kJ/d of energy, and the temperature fluctuation is 0.68 times that of the traditional PCMW. Meanwhile, the airflow improves the dynamic transmittance of the window at certain times. Remarkable enhancement of the thermal performance and optical performance of the PCMVW is achieved by adjusting the air mass flow rate and PCM melting point, which provides solutions for the application of PCMVW in cold regions.

KEYWORDS:

• PCM
• airflow window
• photothermal performance
• parameter analysis
• buildings

Acknowledgements

The financial supports are provided by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC) through Grant No. 52078110.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Aerospace Science Foundation of China [No. 52078110].

Notes on contributors

Dai Geng

Dai Geng is a professor at Northeast Petroleum University. He engages in technology innovation and entrepreneurship.

Xinpeng Yang

Xinpeng Yang is a Master’s student at Northeast Petroleum University. He mainly engages in research on building energy efficiency and innovative glazed systems.

Dong Li

Dong Li currently works at the School of Architecture and civil engineering at Northeast Petroleum University. He does research in Thermal Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Civil Engineering.

RuiTong Yang

Ruitong Yang is a Doctor of Engineering at Northeast Petroleum University. She mainly engages in research on solar thermal utilization in buildings.

Yuxin Ma

Yuxin Ma is a Master’s student at Northeast Petroleum University. He mainly engages in research on building energy efficiency and innovative glazed systems.

Yangyang Wu

Yangyang Wu currently works at the Department of Building Environment and Thermal Energy Engineering at Northeast Petroleum University.

Müslüm Arıcı

Müslüm Arıcı currently works at Department of Mechanical Engineering, Kocaeli University, Turkey. His research field covers the application of Phase Change Materials, Nanofluids, Building Physics, Numerical Heat Transfer, etc.

Changyu Liu

Changyu Liu currently works at the School of Architecture and civil engineering at Northeast Petroleum University. Liu does research in Thermal Engineering, Environmental Engineering, and Civil Engineering. His interests include anaerobic hydrogen production, solar energy, building energy conservation, and bioenergy.