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Investigation of the hygrothermal and energy performance of passive temperature-humidity regulation walls in various climate zones.

Number: 0013

Author(s) : WU D., XING J., ZHANG X., GANAOUI M. El, BENNACER R.

Summary

Building walls using hygroscopic material (HM) and phase change material (PCM) can passively regulate indoor thermal and humidity levels. In this paper, a temperature and humidity regulation wall (THRW) integrating bio-based HM and PCM was proposed for hygrothermal and energy performance improvement. 24 THRWs comprising four PCM positions and six phase transition temperatures were numerically investigated and compared to a base wall in four climate zones. The temperature, vapor pressure, and heat load on the internal surface of the walls were evaluated. The results show that the optimal wall design varies depending on whether prioritizing hygrothermal or energy performance. For hygrothermal performance and peak power demand, the optimal walls in Phoenix, Hong Kong, Miami, and Barcelona were THRW1L-36, THRW3L-28, THRW1L-36, and THRW3L-28, with reductions in temperature, vapor pressure, and peak heat flux of 73.1%, 70.5%, 25.7%; 83.9%, 84.9%, 36.5%; 73.2%, 70.6%, 25.9%; and 77.2%, 76.7%, 41.8%, respectively, compared to the base wall. Total energy consumption assessment is complicated due to the superposition of sensible and net latent heat loads. The optimal walls for total heat load reduction were THRW3L-28, THRW2L-24, THRW2L-32, and THRW2L-28, with reductions of 2.4%, 14.8%, 2.1%, and 10.9%,
respectively. Higher PCM melt fractions in the range 0-100% are the key for performance improvement. Furthermore, neglecting moisture transfer leads to temperature amplitude overestimation of 4.4-14.3%, peak heat flux and total load underestimation of 1.7-8.6%, and optimal design misidentification. This research provides a reference method of optimized design and climate suitability for the application of multifunctional passive walls.

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Pages: 13 p.

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Details

  • Original title: Investigation of the hygrothermal and energy performance of passive temperature-humidity regulation walls in various climate zones.
  • Record ID : 30035360
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: 15th IIR Conference on Phase-Change Materials and Slurries for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Proceedings:  Xi'an China, September 16-18, 2026.
  • Publication date: 2026/09
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.18462/iir.pcm.2026.0013

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