Jian Xia^1,2, Xianzhong Hu¹, Yan Li¹, Wei Zhang^3,*

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.19, No.6, pp. 1489-1506, 2025, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2025.065997 - 17 November 2025

Abstract Incorporating microencapsulated phase change materials (MPCM) into mortar enhances building thermal energy storage for energy savings but severely degrades compressive strength by replacing sand and creating pores. This study innovatively addresses this critical limitation by introducing nano-silicon (NS) as a modifier to fill pores and promote hydration in MPCM mortar. Twenty-five mixes with varying NS content from 0 to 4 weight percent and different MPCM contents were comprehensively tested for flowability, compressive strength, thermal conductivity, thermal energy storage via Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and microstructure via Scanning Electron Microscopy. Key quantitative results showed MPCM reduced mortar… More >

Rafah H. Zaidan^*, Najim A. Jasim

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.5, pp. 1595-1620, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.068205 - 31 October 2025

Abstract This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and numerical investigation of radiant floor heating (RFH) systems integrated with phase change material (PCM)-based thermal energy storage (TES). The study compares two underfloor pipe configurations: double serpentine and spiral. It also looks at how well a paraffin wax PCM system works with compact heat exchanger-type TES units during winter in Iraq. Key performance indicators including discharge temperature, heat transfer rate, liquid fraction evolution, and temperature uniformity were assessed through in situ experimental measurements and ANSYS fluent simulations. Results demonstrate that the spiral design provides slightly more uniform temperature distribution… More >

Rachid Djeffal^1,2, Sidi Mohammed El Amine Bekkouche^1,2, Zakaria Triki², Abir Abboud², Sabrina Lekmine³, Hichem Tahraoui^2,4, Jie Zhang⁵, Abdeltif Amrane^4,*

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.23, No.4, pp. 1129-1149, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2025.067734 - 29 August 2025

Abstract Refrigeration systems are essential across various sectors, including food preservation, medical storage, and climate control. However, their high energy consumption and environmental impact necessitate innovative solutions to enhance efficiency while minimizing energy usage. This paper investigates the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) into a vapor compression refrigeration system to enhance energy efficiency and temperature regulation for food preservation. A multifunctional prototype was tested under two configurations: (1) a standard thermally insulated room, and (2) the same room augmented with eutectic plates filled with either Glaceol (−10°C melting point) or distilled water (0°C melting point).… More > Graphic Abstract

Salma Kouzzi^1,*, Mouniba Redah¹, Souad Morsli², Mohammed El Ganaoui³, Mohammed Lhassane Lahlaouti¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.20, No.12, pp. 2741-2755, 2024, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.055890 - 23 December 2024

Abstract This study investigates the potential for enhancing the thermal performance of external walls insulation in warmer climates through the combination of phase change materials (PCMs) and bio-based materials, specifically hemp wool and wood wool. Experimental tests using the heat flow method (HFM), and numerical simulations with ANSYS Fluent software were conducted to assess the dynamic thermal distribution and fluid-mechanical aspects of phase change materials (PCMs) within composite walls. The results demonstrate a notable reduction in peak indoor temperatures, achieving a 58% reduction with hemp wool with a close 40% reduction with wood wool when combined More >

Inga Zotova^1,*, Edgars Kirilovs¹, Laura Ziemele²

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.12, No.3, pp. 603-613, 2024, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2024.047607 - 11 April 2024

Abstract Nowadays buildings contain innovative materials, materials from local resources, production surpluses and rapidly renewable natural resources. Phase Change Materials (PCM) are one such group of novel materials which reduce building energy consumption. With the wider availability of microencapsulated PCM, there is an opportunity to develop a new type of insulating materials, combinate PCM with traditional insulation materials for latent heat energy storage. These materials are typically flammable and are located on the interior wall finishing yet there has been no detailed assessment of their fire performance. In this research work prototypes of low-density insulating boards… More > Graphic Abstract

Zhengrong Shi^1,3, Jie Ren¹, Tao Zhang^1,3,*, Yanming Shen^2,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.3, pp. 681-702, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2023.045238 - 27 February 2024

Abstract Building energy consumption and building carbon emissions both account for more than 20% of their total national values in China. Building employing phase change material (PCM) for passive temperature control shows a promising prospect in meeting the comfort demand and reducing energy consumption simultaneously. However, there is a lack of more detailed research on the interaction between the location and thickness of PCM and indoor natural convection, as well as indoor temperature distribution. In this study, the numerical model of a passive temperature-controlled building integrating the developed PCM module is established with the help of… More > Graphic Abstract

Majid Ahmed Mohammed¹, Abdullah Talab Derea², Mohammed Yaseen Lafta³, Obed Majeed Ali¹, Omar Rafae Alomar^4,*

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.21, pp. 215-226, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2023.041668 - 30 November 2023

Abstract It is common knowledge that phase-change materials are used for the purpose of thermal storage because of the characteristics that are exclusive to these materials and not found in others. These characteristics include a large capacity for absorbing heat and a large capacity for releasing heat when the phase changes; however, these materials have a low thermal conductivity. This paper presents the results of an experimental study that investigated the impact that nanoparticles of copper oxide had on reducing the temperature of solar panels. The phase change substance that was used was determined to be More >

Marwa El Yassi^1,2,*, Ikram El Abbassi^1,2, Alexandre Pierre², Yannick Melinge³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.5, pp. 1283-1290, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2022.023183 - 30 November 2022

Abstract Phase change materials (PCMs) have the ability to store thermal energy and make it available at a later stage to keep indoor temperature within a specific range and achieve better thermal comfort in buildings. This study focuses on the performances of materials obtained by combining a standard building material with a PCM. In particular, two different materials mixed with the same PCM are considered under the same climatic conditions. The related thermal behavior is assessed in the framework of numerical simulations conducted with ANSYS Fluent assuming parameters representative of a city located in Europe. The More >

Nisrine Hanchi^*, Hamid Hamza, Jawad Lahjomri, Khalid Zniber, Abdelaziz Oubarra

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.5, pp. 1227-1236, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2023.022530 - 30 November 2022

Abstract The work deals with the thermal behavior of a conventional partition wall incorporating a phase change material (PCM). The wall separates two environments with different thermal properties. The first one is conditioned, while the adjacent space is characterized by a temperature that changes sinusoidally in time. The effect of the PCM is assessed through a comparative analysis of the cases with and without PCM. The performances are evaluated in terms of dimensionless energy stored within the wall, comfort temperature and variations of these quantities as a function of the amount of PCM and its emplacement. More >

Feriel Mustapha^1,2,*, Marwa El Yassi^1,2, Ikram El Abbassi^1,2, Abdelhak Kaci², Elhadj Kadri², A-Moumen Darcherif³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.19, No.4, pp. 953-958, 2023, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2022.022028 - 02 November 2022

Abstract A study is presented on the feasibility of an approach based on the combination of Phase Change Materials (PCM) with metal walls in container-type houses. This line of research finds its motivations in recent trends in the energy and building sectors about energy consumption reduction. Another important objective concerns possible improvements in the comfort provided by such houses during the summer period. The results obtained through numerical solution of the governing equations accounting for heat transfer and latent heat effects associated with the PCM show that the indoor temperature can be reduced with a varying More >