CFD modeling for phase change materials integrated to building envelope

Abstract

Integrating thermal energy storage with thermal conversion systems is necessary to maximize their use. Phase change materials are the best media for storing and releasing thermal energy from various basic material types. Because the phase change materials have a high latent heat of fusion, it is often viable to use these characteristics and include the phase change materials in building envelopes to store thermal energy. The paper provides a thorough categorization of the phase change materials and thermal energy storage systems, in addition to an evaluation of their modeling using computational fluid dynamics. The purpose was to highlight computational fluid dynamics as a useful technique for advancing the engineering of thermal energy storage devices.