Editors: | F. Kongoli, F. Marquis, N. Chikhradze, T. Prikhna, O. Adiguzel, E. Aifantis, R. Das, P. Trovalusci |
Publisher: | Flogen Star OUTREACH |
Publication Year: | 2023 |
Pages: | 288 pages |
ISBN: | 978-1-998384-00-6 (CD) |
ISSN: | 2291-1227 (Metals and Materials Processing in a Clean Environment Series) |
As global temperatures rise, the need for thermal comfort increases, and household incomes rise around the world, the energy consumption for heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems increases [1], [2]. Monthly electricity consumption increases by 3.2% for each additional day with a mean temperature exceeding 90 °F (32.2 oC) relative to a 65–70 °F (18.3-21.1 oC) day[2]. During summer days the highest electricity demand is during the peak hours (from 12 pm to 6 pm). Power companies are seeking methods to shift some of the load to off-peak hours because they have difficulty in keeping up with the demand during peak hours [3]. Significant economic benefit could be achieved when some of the electric load is shifted to off-peak due to differential pricing system for peak and off-peak periods of energy use [4]. One of the solutions investigated in this study is the integration of phase change materials (PCM) in the ceilings and walls of a building enclosure [3]. The PCMs are latent heat energy storage materials with high heat of fusion. These materials absorb or release the latent heat during the phase change. Different kinds of PCMs are available for use in a latent heat storage system such as salts hydrates, paraffin, and fatty acids [5]. The integration of PCMs will enhance energy storage in building envelop, maintain a room temperature closer to the desired temperature for a longer time, delay air temperature maximum to an off-peak demand period, and increase human comfort by decreasing the frequency of internal air temperature swings [4]. Energy storage improves energy utilization and conversation and decreases carbon emissions. Presently, in buildings thermal energy is primarily stored as sensible heat in the envelop and interior. Latent heat storage systems have certain benefits in comparison to sensible heat storage systems in that phase change materials store a relatively large amount of heat per unit volume.
In this study, an energy storing oriented strand board (OSB) wood-based panel has been developed. OSB is widely used in the northern hemisphere for the outer building envelope as it has good mechanical properties to bear loads. Thermal energy storing capability has been achieved by integrating wax, a phase change material (PCM), in wood board. Shape stabilized phase change material (SSPCM) based on high density polyethylene is the host for the PCM in the oriented strand board (OSB). Different additives were added to increase the percentage of PCM that can be used in SSPCM preparation without leakage during the phase change, serve as flame retardant since organic PCM is flammable, or to enhance the bonding between the SSPCM and wood strands which will lead to better mechanical properties. The heat flux and the temperature through the thickness of the board were recorded. To evaluate the heat storage properties of SSPCM, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used. While a Cone Calorimeter was used to test the flammability properties of OSB-SSPCM boards. The results suggest that the integration of SSPCM in oriented strand board lowers the heat flux as compared to OSB without SSPCM and could be a viable material for use in buildings to reduce energy consumption and that the addition of nano magnesium hydroxide enhances the desired flammability properties of OSB-SSPCM, which can be potentially used in civil construction.