Introduction to the Application of Phase Change Materials under Tropical Climate of Panama

 

Authors
Harris, Itamar; Ortega Del Rosario, Maria De Los Á.; James Rivas, Arthur; Bruneau, Denis
Format
Article
Status
publishedVersion
Description

Phase change materials (PCM) are materials with the ability to store a large amount of energy (latent heat) during their change from solid to a liquid phase. This takes place at a certain melting temperature. Amid the global energy crisis, multiple applications of these materials have been studied at the theoretical, numerical and experimental approach, obtaining promising results in terms of an increase in the efficiency of these systems. However, the application of these materials is being studied since there are no rules or predictions of the feasibility of its application in diverse weather conditions. The tropical climate condition is one of the least studied in this context. In this work, a review of the main findings of recent studies conducted in tropical climate conditions is presented. Additionally, an analysis of the main challenges and opportunities of the application of PCM in the climate of Panama is performed. It was concluded that some applications in passive cooling and solar water heating systems might have the potential for their implementation. However, further studies are required to take into account other applications.
Phase change materials (PCM) are materials with the ability to store a large amount of energy (latent heat) during their change from solid to a liquid phase. This takes place at a certain melting temperature. Amid the global energy crisis, multiple applications of these materials have been studied at the theoretical, numerical and experimental approach, obtaining promising results in terms of an increase in the efficiency of these systems. However, the application of these materials is being studied since there are no rules or predictions of the feasibility of its application in diverse weather conditions. The tropical climate condition is one of the least studied in this context. In this work, a review of the main findings of recent studies conducted in tropical climate conditions is presented. Additionally, an analysis of the main challenges and opportunities of the application of PCM in the climate of Panama is performed. It was concluded that some applications in passive cooling and solar water heating systems might have the potential for their implementation. However, further studies are required to take into account other applications.

Publication Year
2016
Language
eng
Topic
cooling
latent heat
melting
phase change materials
solar heating
thermal energy storage
cooling
latent heat
melting
phase change materials
solar heating
thermal energy storage
Repository
RI de Documento Digitales de Acceso Abierto de la UTP
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https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8943672
https://ridda2.utp.ac.pa/handle/123456789/10107
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