Assessment of PCM/SiC-based composite aggregate in concrete: Energy storage performance

• Published in: Construction & building materials 2020-10, Vol.258, p.119637, Article 119637
• Main Authors: Kim, Hong Gi, Qudoos, Abdul, Jeon, In Kyu, Woo, Byeong Hun, Ryou, Jae Suk
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Concrete; Paraffin wax; Silicon carbide; Temperature development; Thermal energy storage
• ISSN: 0950-0618; 1879-0526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119637

•PCM/SiC composite aggregates were used to make concrete.•Energy storage performance of concrete was investigated.•PCM/SiC composite aggregates improved energy storage performance. This work investigates the thermal energy storage performance of concrete using a phase change material (PCM)/SiC-based composite aggregate made with paraffin wax, silicon carbide, and slag aggregate. The thermal energy storage properties were evaluated using a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curve, thermal conductivity, hydration heat development, and internal temperature measurements. In addition, a mock-up concrete structure was constructed to evaluate thermal energy storage under natural conditions. The DSC curve showed that the PCM/SiC-based composite aggregate changed its phase and stored thermal energy at 33–34 °C. The internal temperature test indicated that the temperature of the sample with PCM/SiC-based composite aggregate was approximately 2–10 °C higher because of the thermal heat storage capacity of the PCM/SiC-based composite aggregate. A wall surface temperature of 42 °C and 45 °C, respectively at the internal and external side of the energy storage structure wall was measured. While an indoor temperature of 35 °C was observed for energy storage structure. However, the internal surface temperature of the plain structure wall and the indoor room temperature were 41 °C and 38 °C, respectively. The concrete structure with PCM/SiC-based composite aggregate decreased the room temperature and stored thermal energy of approximately 3 °C.