Model and Simulation on Thermal Performance of Shape-Stabilized Phase Change Material Floor

Shape-stabilized phase change material (PCM) is a kind of novel PCM. It has the following salient features: large apparent specific heat for phase change temperature region, suitable thermal conductivity, no container. In the present paper, a kind of floor based upon shape-stabilized PCM is put forward which can adsorb the solar radiation energy in the daytime and release the heat at night in winter. Therefore, in winter the indoor climate can be improved and the energy consumption for space heating may be greatly reduced. A model of analyzing the thermal performance of this shape-stabilized PCM is developed. By using the model, the influence of various factors (thickness of PCM layer, melting temperature, heat of fusion, thermal conductivity of PCM etc.) on the thermal performance is analyzed. The model is verified with the experimental results. The model and the analysis are helpful for the application of shape-stabilized PCM based floor in solar energy buildings.