Determination of inner forms of wall blocks containing phase changing-material (PCM) for climate regions in Turkey

In this study, thermal analysis of hollow blocks containing phase-changing material (PCM) in different climatic types was performed. In the first stage, the effects of hollow ratio, inner form, and the number of cavities on heat flux and temperature distribution were investigated for ten different blocks. At the end of this stage, the inner form of the hollow block with the least total heat transfer coefficient was determined. In the second stage, PCMs with different melting temperatures and layer thicknesses were applied to the walls of the building assumed to be located in four different cities. An optimization was made in terms of annual primary energy use and the global cost of these buildings. At the end of this phase, optimum PCM properties were determined according to degree day regions in Turkey. In the last stage of the study, after the PCMs determined in the second stage were placed in the block determined in the first stage, the best performing locations of the PCMs within the block were determined for all provinces. As a result, the PCM performed best when close to the middle of the block in hot and warm climates and close to the indoor in cold climates.