Numerical Modelling for the Thermal Performance Assessment of a Semi-Opaque Façade with a Multilayer of Nano-Structured and Phase Change Materials

The aim of our present study was to assess and compare the thermo-physical and energy behaviour of different integrated building facades, using a multi-physics simulation approach. Advanced integrated facades composed of opaque modules, one of them with a phase change materials (PCM) layer, the others with multilayer panels, combined with transparent ones, consisting of nano-structured materials and new-generation photovoltaic systems, were investigated. A multi-physics approach was used for the design optimization of the studied components and evaluation of their thermo-physical and heat transfer performance. In particular, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) multi-physics transient simulations were performed to assess air temperature and velocity fields inside the ventilated cavities. Analysis of heat and mass exchange through all the components was assessed during heating and cooling mode of a reference building. The typical Mediterranean climate was considered. Results comparison allowed the dynamic heat transfer evaluation of the multilayer facades as a function of variable climatic conditions, and their flexibility and adaptability exploitation, when different energy strategies are pursued. The multi-physics modelling approach used, proved to be a strong tool for the energy design optimization and energy sustainability evaluation of different advance materials and building components.

[1]  Chi-ming Lai,et al.  Solar façades: A review , 2015 .

[2]  D. K. Serghides,et al.  The building envelope of Mediterranean houses: Optimization of mass and insulation , 2012 .

[3]  Luisa F. Cabeza,et al.  Phase change materials and thermal energy storage for buildings , 2015 .

[4]  Jean-Pierre Bédécarrats,et al.  Simulation of the thermal and energy behaviour of a composite material containing encapsulated-PCM: Influence of the thermodynamical modelling , 2015 .

[5]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Double skin facades (DSF) and building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV): A review of configurations and heat transfer characteristics , 2016 .

[6]  Prageeth Jayathissa,et al.  The Adaptive Solar Facade: From concept to prototypes , 2016 .

[7]  Giuliano Cammarata,et al.  NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS MELTING PROCESS , 2013 .

[8]  Soteris A. Kalogirou,et al.  Phase change materials (PCMs) integrated into transparent building elements: a review , 2015, Materials for Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

[9]  Antonio Fasano,et al.  Numerical solution of phase-change problems , 1973 .

[10]  Fabio Favoino,et al.  Experimental analysis of the energy performance of an ACTive, RESponsive and Solar (ACTRESS) façade module , 2016 .

[11]  K. Bagi,et al.  Discrete Element Analysis of the Shear Resistance of Planar Walls with Different Bond Patterns , 2016 .

[12]  Daniel Brandl,et al.  CFD assessment of a solar honeycomb (SHC) façade element with integrated PV cells , 2015 .

[13]  Argiro Dimoudi,et al.  Experimental study of the cooling performance of a ventilated wall , 2016 .

[14]  Patrick Bamonte,et al.  Lightweight Concrete Containing Phase Change Materials (PCMs): A Numerical Investigation on the Thermal Behaviour of Cladding Panels , 2017 .

[15]  André Bontemps,et al.  Realization, test and modelling of honeycomb wallboards containing a Phase Change Material , 2011 .

[16]  J. Xamán,et al.  Heat transfer and airflow study of turbulent mixed convection in a ventilated cavity , 2016 .

[17]  Hongxing Yang,et al.  Numerical investigation of the energy saving potential of a semi-transparent photovoltaic double-skin facade in a cool-summer Mediterranean climate , 2016 .

[18]  Chi-ming Lai,et al.  Heat Transfer and Energy Performance of a PVA Wall Tile Containing Macro-Encapsulated PCM , 2016 .

[19]  Xiaoqin Sun,et al.  Development and verification of an EnergyPlus-based algorithm to predict heat transfer through building walls integrated with phase change materials , 2016 .

[20]  R. O’hegarty,et al.  Review and analysis of solar thermal facades , 2016 .

[21]  S. Corgnati,et al.  Experimental assessment of the performance of an active transparent façade during actual operating conditions , 2007 .

[22]  A. Rolando,et al.  Influence of natural ventilation due to buoyancy and heat transfer in the energy efficiency of a double skin facade building , 2016 .

[23]  M. Hawlader,et al.  Encapsulated phase change materials for thermal energy storage: Experiments and simulation , 2002 .

[24]  Rachel Becker.  Improving thermal and energy performance of buildings in summer with internal phase change materials , 2014 .