Page 57 - IJAMD-1-3

International Journal of AI for
Materials and Design
Phase change materials and digital twin technology in thermal energy

building industry is a major contributor to carbon dioxide conditions, 26,27 measurement methodologies, encapsulation
(CO₂) emissions and the largest consumer of energy techniques, and nano-PCMs. 28-30
worldwide, accounting for more than 33.33% of total A critical issue in TES and heat insulation within
energy consumption. In addition, heating, ventilation, buildings remains a major challenge. For example,
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and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are responsible for Jiang et al. developed a novel self-reinforced composite
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50 – 60% of a building’s energy usage. Governments and PCM through hot-melt extrusion, designed for heat
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communities aim to reduce energy consumption without storage. Wang et al. constructed a unique packed-
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compromising thermal comfort in buildings, regardless of bed structure for storing heat, capable of withstanding
weather conditions. One significant challenge in this area medium to high temperatures. In the context of
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is the development of new technologies to promote energy smart buildings, Antoniadou-Plytaria et al. proposed
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conservation and efficiency. Thermal energy storage (TES) an energy management system for microgrids based
systems, when installed in buildings, can reduce peak energy on batteries. Their simulations demonstrated that the
demand and enhance heating and cooling efficiency. The framework could reliably predict operational costs and
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building industry has shown considerable interest in phase enhance battery performance. Ren et al. compared
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change materials (PCMs) due to their high energy storage two solar-powered systems: System P, which used solar
density and the ability to store thermal energy through thermal collectors (to transform sunlight into heat) and
a permanent phase transition. Applications of PCMs, a photovoltaic panels (to convert sunlight into electricity),
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comprehensive TES technology, have gained significant and System Q, which employed photovoltaic thermal
attention for improving cooling efficiency while reducing collectors to generate both thermal and electrical energy
overall building energy consumption, making them a from solar power. In addition, Lin et al. introduced a
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popular topic among engineers and architects. 13 thermoelectrically-powered wireless sensor network for
Heat storage can be achieved through sensible, latent, environmental monitoring in building envelopes. Their
or thermochemical means, which are the three primary design, which features self-powered capabilities, thermally
methods used to store thermal energy. Among the optimized components, and milliwatt power control,
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various energy storage technologies, TES stands out as could offer significant benefits for low-power, inexpensive
highly environmentally beneficial. PCM-based TES environmental monitoring. 36
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systems show significant potential to absorb or release Yu et al. explored a novel approach to harnessing
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substantial energy during phase transitions under nearly solar energy by integrating two form-stable PCMs within a
isothermal conditions, making them a promising avenue humid environment containing dissolved CO₂. The distinct
for research. There are primarily three types of PCMs, electrical resistivities and phase transition temperatures
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classified according to their charging and discharging of these PCMs enable energy harvesting independent of
processes: organic, inorganic, and eutectic. Salt hydrates conventional thermoelectric devices. The process utilizes
are an example of an inorganic PCM, while organic PCMs the Seebeck effect, where the temperature differential
include substances, such as paraffin waxes, fatty acids, between the PCMs generates electricity, offering an
and fatty acid esters. Eutectic PCMs, which are polymeric innovative method for sustainable energy production
compounds, include eutectic salts and solutions. using PCMs and environmental CO₂.
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Another way to categorize PCMs is based on the type of
phase transition they undergo: solid-liquid, solid-solid, and 1.1. Role of digital twin (DT) technology in PCM-TES
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solid-gas. Among these, solid-liquid PCMs are generally systems
the best choice for energy storage due to their low cost, high Lv et al. discovered that DT technology significantly
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latent heat, and other desirable properties. 19,20 However, improves the efficiency and performance of PCM-based
despite these advantages, limitations such as super-cooling TES systems. By creating a virtual replica of the physical
and low latent heat can restrict their widespread use. 21 system, DT enables real-time monitoring, simulation, and
Several reviews have focused on PCMs and their optimization of PCM behavior during energy storage and
potential applications for cooling in buildings. For instance, release. The virtual models are continuously updated to
Oropeza-Perez et al. reviewed active and passive cooling accurately reflect changes in the physical system, facilitating
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in homes, while Monghasemi et al. explored research on precise predictions of temperature distributions, phase
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integrating solar chimneys with HVAC systems in buildings. transitions, and energy transfer dynamics. In PCM-TES
Khan et al. provided a review of PCM applications in systems, DT technology plays a vital role in enhancing
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solar-powered refrigeration systems. Additional PCM system operations by providing accurate forecasts of
research topics include climate control and heating energy demand and storage capacity. For example, DT
(PCM-TES), investigations under specific environmental can simulate various environmental conditions, such as
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Volume 1 Issue 3 (2024) 51 doi: 10.36922/ijamd.4696