Experimental Study on the Use of Microencapsulated Phase Change Material in Walls and Roofs for Energy Savings

Abstract

This paper presents an experimental investigation of a new use of phase change materials (PCM) as a coating material on concrete and hollow brick walls. Its aim is to study the influence of the integration of PCM on the thermal behaviour of cells and on the improvement of thermal comfort in buildings under the Algerian climate. Tests of the flexural strength, compressive strength, bond strength, and hardness were performed at seven days of age on composite plaster/PCM materials. Different percentages of phase change material were used in the designs of composition (plaster/PCM). In situ measurements of air and walls temperatures were made in three cells. The first one was built with traditional materials and the other two with a composite material plaster/PCM. The cells are located in the Algiers region. The measurement results show that the use of a gypsum plaster incorporating 30% PCM contributes to a reduction of the amplitude of indoor temperature of the cell by 4°C in the summer. The use of PCM has also improved thermal comfort and increased the maximum cell temperature by 2°C during winter.