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A PCM/heat pipe cooling system for reducing air conditioning in buildings: review of options and report on field tests.

Author(s) : ETHERIDGE D., MURPHY K., REAY D.

Type of article: Article

Summary

A novel system for reducing or eliminating the need for air conditioning was developed to the proof-of-concept stage under an earlier project at the University of Nottingham. The system makes use of heat pipes to transfer heat into and out of a phase change material which is 'frozen' during the night and 'melted' during the day. This paper describes a number of concepts for 'free cooling', and the background to the current concept, before detailing field tests on the system that have recently been completed and which demonstrate its effectiveness under real operating conditions. Systems were installed in two offices and detailed monitoring of their performance was carried out during the summer months. On the basis of the results obtained it is concluded that the system functions very well and is practically and technically the most attractive of the available alternatives to air conditioning. The fact that it is suited to retrofitting in existing buildings means that both the potential market and the CO2 reductions are large.

Details

  • Original title: A PCM/heat pipe cooling system for reducing air conditioning in buildings: review of options and report on field tests.
  • Record ID : 2006-2030
  • Languages: English
  • Source: Build. Serv. Eng. Res. Technol. - vol. 27 - n. 1
  • Publication date: 2006

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