Active wall energy storage system for green building thermal management

刚性建筑结构（例如，墙壁，地板，柱子，屋顶等）可以用作主动感应/潜在能量存储系统（通常称为主动墙结构）。能量可以从可再生资源（例如，太阳能热、废热等）储存在这种结构中，并且可以在需要时利用。拟议的活动（持续时间：6个月）将调查在建筑物结构部件中集成相变材料（PCM）的影响，这种集成将提高建筑物的整体能源效率。在本研究中，将对含PCM的多孔介质进行分析建模，以了解PCM如何与多孔介质性质（即材料、孔隙度和渗透率）相互作用。为了获得多孔介质孔隙度和PCM的正确组合，以优化熔化/冻结速率，本文将对结构部件的PCM计算流体动力学（CFD）模型进行模拟。一个小规模的原型结构将被开发出来。PCM将集成在结构部件上。结构构件内部含有多孔介质的PCM将增强建筑的熔化/冻结能力，对建筑节能具有重要意义。将进行实验测试，并与分析/模拟结果进行比较。这些渐进的研究和分析过程以及原型开发和验证将导致该技术在建筑系统中的商业化。牛顿集团将与圭尔夫大学合作进行拟议的研究，并利用研究结果调查商业案例

The rigid building structures (e.g., walls, floors, columns, roofs, etc.) can be used as active sensible/latent energy storages systems (commonly known as Active Wall Structure). Energy can be stored in such structures from renewable sources (e.g., solar thermal, waste heat, etc.) and can be utilized when required. The proposed activity (duration: 6 months) will investigate the effect of integration of phase change material (PCM) within the structural components of building where such integration will improve overall energy efficiency of the building. In the present study, analytical modeling will be carried out for a porous medium with PCM to understand how the PCM interacts with porous medium properties, i.e., material, porosity, and permeability. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling of structural components with PCM will be simulated to obtain a right combination of porous medium porosity and PCM for optimization of melting/freezing rate. A small scale prototype structure will be developed. PCM will be integrated on the structural component. The PCM with porous medium inside structural component will enhance melting/freezing and could achieve important energy savings in buildings. Experimental testing will be carried out and compared with analytical/simulation results. These gradual research and analyses processes and prototype development and verification will lead to commercialization of this technology in building systems. Newton Group will partner with University of Guelph in the proposed study and use the results in investigating the business case for developing the optimized energy efficient buildings. Newton Group has been using technologies, such as, active wall energy storage system, integrated pond for temperature cooling, and passive heating/cooling to their design-build projects. Project like this will assist stimulation of green investment, green innovation, and will create more employment opportunities for local people and environment friendly technologies. In the long run, such system has the potential for cost and carbon footprint reductions in Ontario as well as in Canada.