Investigation of the effectiveness of PCM on the energy saving, thermal comfort and indoor air quality in overcrowded area

Abstract

Overcrowded areas like hospitals, jails, and shelter elevators pose a risk in terms of excessive temperatures, excessive CO2 concentrations, or even the presence of toxins and viruses. Hence, ventilation, thermal comfort and energy management are crucial issues for these kinds of places. In the present study, a prototype (1:4) of a prison quarry located in Baghdad, Iraq has been examined. Indoor air quality, humidity, temperature distribution and energy consumption of the room have been monitored for the identical weather conditions of the real prison cell, including five dummy occupants, each dissipating 100 W/m2 of heat, releasing CO2 of 0.3 l/min and water vapor. To reduce the cooling energy consumption of the building and the temperature deviation during the day, two layers of Phase Change Materials, PCMs, have been embedded in the ceiling of the prototype. Experiments have been recorded for three hours in Baghdad's harsh weather conditions in August. In addition, numerical analyses were conducted and compared with experimental findings, and a good match is obtained. Energy saving of 47.2% have been calculated by using PCM for the inlet air velocity of 0.5 m/s.