Hybrid Air-Conditioning System with Transparent Thermal Insulation and Phase-Change Material: Experimental Heat Flux Measurements and CFD Analysis.
Saved in:
| Title: | Hybrid Air-Conditioning System with Transparent Thermal Insulation and Phase-Change Material: Experimental Heat Flux Measurements and CFD Analysis. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Torres Rodríguez, Agustín1 (AUTHOR), Gálvez, David Morillón1 (AUTHOR) damg@pumas.iingen.unam.mx, Silva Casarín, Rodolfo1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Energies (19961073). May2026, Vol. 19 Issue 10, p2407. 46p. |
| Subject Terms: | *Thermal insulation, *Phase change materials, *Indoor air quality, *Temperature control, *Heat flux measurement, *Energy consumption, *Computational fluid dynamics |
| Abstract: | Buildings account for a substantial proportion of global energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions, largely due to the widespread use of conventional heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Hybrid systems that integrate passive and active technologies have emerged as a promising strategy for reducing energy demand while maintaining adequate indoor environmental conditions. This study evaluates the thermal and airflow performance of a hybrid air-conditioning system (HACS) that combines transparent thermal insulation (TTI) filled with R-410A refrigerant and a pig-fat-based organic phase-change material (PCM). Experimental measurements of heat flux, temperature, airflow velocity, and CO2 concentration were conducted in a controlled prototype system. In parallel, computational simulations were performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multizone airflow modeling. The hybrid system incorporates a TTI container acting as a solar absorber and a galvanized-steel PCM container filled with 10 kg of pig fat used as latent heat storage. Heat-flux measurements were obtained using an HFS-5 sensor connected to a data acquisition system, while airflow velocity and temperature were monitored with analog data loggers. Indoor CO2 concentrations were recorded using a dedicated CO2 meter and simulated using CONTAMW software version 3.4.0.8. The experimental results show that the TTI and PCM containers reached average heat-flux values of 77.04 W/m2 and 55.31 W/m2, respectively. Airflow within the system is induced by buoyancy forces arising from temperature gradients generated by heat transfer processes at the surfaces of the TTI and PCM, resulting in a mixed air stream with an average temperature of 37.54 °C during winter operation. Recorded CO2 concentrations remained between 290 and 413 ppm, indicating high indoor air quality levels. The overall experimental campaign spanned 6 years and 3 months. CFD simulations confirmed the airflow patterns and heat-transfer behavior observed experimentally. The findings demonstrate that hybrid air-conditioning systems combining refrigerant-filled transparent insulation with bio-based phase-change materials can effectively enhance passive thermal performance while maintaining acceptable indoor air quality. The integration of photovoltaic-powered ventilation systems could further the operational autonomy and overall energy efficiency of such hybrid systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Database: | Energy & Power Source |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests.
Login for full access.
|
|
| Abstract: | Buildings account for a substantial proportion of global energy consumption and greenhouse-gas emissions, largely due to the widespread use of conventional heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. Hybrid systems that integrate passive and active technologies have emerged as a promising strategy for reducing energy demand while maintaining adequate indoor environmental conditions. This study evaluates the thermal and airflow performance of a hybrid air-conditioning system (HACS) that combines transparent thermal insulation (TTI) filled with R-410A refrigerant and a pig-fat-based organic phase-change material (PCM). Experimental measurements of heat flux, temperature, airflow velocity, and CO2 concentration were conducted in a controlled prototype system. In parallel, computational simulations were performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and multizone airflow modeling. The hybrid system incorporates a TTI container acting as a solar absorber and a galvanized-steel PCM container filled with 10 kg of pig fat used as latent heat storage. Heat-flux measurements were obtained using an HFS-5 sensor connected to a data acquisition system, while airflow velocity and temperature were monitored with analog data loggers. Indoor CO2 concentrations were recorded using a dedicated CO2 meter and simulated using CONTAMW software version 3.4.0.8. The experimental results show that the TTI and PCM containers reached average heat-flux values of 77.04 W/m2 and 55.31 W/m2, respectively. Airflow within the system is induced by buoyancy forces arising from temperature gradients generated by heat transfer processes at the surfaces of the TTI and PCM, resulting in a mixed air stream with an average temperature of 37.54 °C during winter operation. Recorded CO2 concentrations remained between 290 and 413 ppm, indicating high indoor air quality levels. The overall experimental campaign spanned 6 years and 3 months. CFD simulations confirmed the airflow patterns and heat-transfer behavior observed experimentally. The findings demonstrate that hybrid air-conditioning systems combining refrigerant-filled transparent insulation with bio-based phase-change materials can effectively enhance passive thermal performance while maintaining acceptable indoor air quality. The integration of photovoltaic-powered ventilation systems could further the operational autonomy and overall energy efficiency of such hybrid systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|---|---|
| ISSN: | 19961073 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/en19102407 |
