Novel ventilation cooling system for reducing air conditioning in buildings. Part I: testing and theoretical modelling

A latent heat storage unit incorporating heat pipes embedded in phase chang e material (PCM) is developed and tested for a novel application in low ene rgy cooling of buildings. A one-dimensional mathematical model of the heat transfer from air to PCM is presented to allow sizing of a test unit. Detai ls of the construction and testing of one heat pipe/PCM unit in a controlle d environment are described, and measurements of heat transfer rate and mel ting times are presented. When the difference between air and PCM temperatu re was 5 degrees C, the heat transfer rate was approximately 40 W over a me lt period of 19 h. The heat transfer rate could he improved, and the phase change time shortened, with an alternative design for finning of the heat p ipe inside the PCM. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.