Practical Considerations for Phase Change Materials in Kuwaiti Building Envelopes: A Data-driven Approach

This research aims to enhance the comprehension of choosing efficient phase-change materials (PCMs) for energy conservation in buildings and addresses the gap in the literature concerning methodologies specific to Kuwait's context. A range of PCM materials, such as solid-state paraffin and liquid-state salt hydrates, have been developed. Eutectic mixtures, organic and inorganic PCMs, as well as bio-based PCMs, are gaining increasing popularity. Nonetheless, the transportation of liquid PCMs in Kuwait is challenging and expensive. In contrast, Graphite-based PCMs, which are in a solid state, provide a feasible transportation solution. This study aims to address the choice of melting point PCMs for buildings and practical considerations related to nano-graphite-based PCMs. Currently, there is a lack of a methodological approach in the literature for selecting the most effective PCM for buildings in Kuwait. To investigate this, two identical portable cabins were constructed in Kuwait, using 75mm sandwich panels with interior dimensions of 2m × 2m × 2.8m. Each room used a split unit air conditioner, with the temperature set at 22°C during measurements. A data logging system with SD memory storage collected temperatures from the interior sides of the cabin walls every 10 minutes between June 27th and July 2nd, 2023. The frequency distribution of wall temperatures from 20°C to 29°C was analyzed. From the results, a PCM with a melting point of 24°C would take approximately 8 hours to melt and have 16 hours available for solidification, considering a 24-hour day/night cycle. The next question to be addressed is determining the appropriate thickness of PCM to be used in Kuwait.