Phase Change Material Sandwich Panels for Managing Solar Gain in Buildings

In this study, a phase change material (PCM) sandwich panel was developed and tested to evaluate the resulting decrease in heating and cooling loads of a test cabin in Adana, Turkey, where Mediterranean climate prevails. The panel was formed by a macropackage of microencapsulated PCM layer together with an insulation panel. Two different PCMs, with melting points $26°C$ and $23°C$⁠, were used in the panel. Temperature distribution in the cabin was measured for four different cases. In summer, the maximum average temperature reduction achieved in the cabin was $2.5°C$ when only the PCM was used. This corresponded to a summer cooling load reduction of 7%. In winter, the maximum average temperature increase achieved in the cabin was $2.2°C$ with the PCM sandwich panel. The winter heating load was decreased by 17%. Energies conserved in cooling and heating were calculated as 186 kWh/year and 206 kWh/year, respectively.