04 octobre 2024
17h30
Louvain-la-Neuve
Auditoire BARB94
Energy saving potential of thermal mass modification with phase-change materials in temperate climate offices by Gilles Baudoin
Thermal energy storage into buildings can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly by lowering energy demand for heating and cooling. Researchers have increasingly focused on phase-change materials (PCMs) due to their potential to modify the heat storage capacity of buildings.
This research provides new insights into the field of thermal mass modification using PCMs by independently addressing two key issues: (i) the heat transfer improvement of PCM-enhanced products, and (ii) the definition of achievable energy savings when PCM is incorporated into an office room in the temperate climate of Belgium.
The impact of heat transfer enhancement of PCMs is evaluated through a room-scale experimental campaign, by studying macro-encapsulated PCMs in suspended ceilings designed for the research. Heat transfer was improved by incorporating metal wool and increasing the exchange surface area. The valuable measurements, conducted at both material and room scales, confirm the crucial role of heat transfer enhancement in the effective use of PCMs.
The definition of PCM-induced energy savings in an office room within the temperate climate of Belgium is achieved using the whole-building dynamic simulation software EnergyPlus. Simulation results, conducted for a wide range of office room variants, demonstrate that the design and operational parameters of the building significantly influence PCM-induced energy savings. The findings enable the identification of the boundaries of achievable PCM-induced benefits and the determination of which building rooms benefit most from PCM integration.
Gilles Baudoin is a researcher at Architecture & Climat (LAB, UCLouvain), where he has joined the STOCC project team. His background in Materials Engineering and his increasing interest in building energy efficiency have naturally led him to the STOCC project, which aims to design phase-change wall prototypes to modify the thermal mass of buildings.
Jury’s members:
Prof. Geoffrey van Moeseke (UCLouvain), supervisor
Prof. Sergio Altomonte (UCLouvain), chairperson
Prof. Thomas Pardoen (UCLouvain), secretary
Prof. Véronique Feldheim (UMons)
Dr. Stijn Verbeke (UAntwerp)
Pay attention :
The public defense of Gilles Baudoin scheduled for Friday October 4 at 05:30 p.m. will also take place in the form of a video conference.
Will you attend the PhD public presentation ?
