Proposed specific heat capacity model for a concrete wall containing phase change material (PCM) under field experiment conditions

Abstract

This study compares (1) the specific heat capacity (CP) model obtained from the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurement, (2) the conventional CP model using the step function and normal distribution function, and (3) the newly proposed CP model using the non-central F-distribution function. The CP models were implemented into the numerical conductive heat transfer model for the PCM-containing Portland cement (PC) concrete wall. Except for the heat capacity of PCM, other experimental data such as density, thermal conductivity, heat flux, or inner temperature profiles were obtained from the previous studies to build the numerical model. Through the validation process, the CP model using the non-central F-distribution function was selected as the best model, including the thermal properties of PCM. The proposed model was applied to the parametric study to investigate the best thermal efficiency, such as thermal comfort and diurnal temperature difference when applying PCM to PC concrete walls.