Location and optimization analysis of capillary tube network embedded in active tuning building wall

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) 2016-02, Vol.97, p.36-45
• Main Authors: Niu, Fuxin, Yu, Yuebin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Active tuning; Building wall; Buildings; Capillary network; Capillary tubes; Location optimization; Low-grade energy; Networks; Optimization; Summer; Tubes; Tuning; Walls
• ISSN: 0360-5442
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.12.094

In this study, a building wall with a thermal tuning function is further investigated. This design turns the building wall from a passive thermal system to an active system. A capillary tube network is installed inside the wall to manipulate the thermodynamics and realize more flexibility and potentials of the wall. This novel building wall structure performs efficiently in terms of building load reduction and supplementary heating and cooling, and the structure is convenient for applying low grade or natural energy with a wider temperature range. The capillary tube network's location inside the wall greatly impacts the thermal and energy performance of the building wall. The effects of three locations including external, middle and internal side are analyzed. The results indicate that the internal wall surface temperature can be neutralized from the ambient environment when the embedded tubes are fed with thermal water. The wall can work with a wide range of water temperature and the optimal location of the tube network is relatively constant in different modes. Power benefit with the wall changes from 2 W to 39 W when the outdoor air temperature changes, higher in summer than in winter. •A building wall with a tuning function is proposed using a capillary pipe network.•Low-grade thermal water can be used to actively manipulate the thermal mass.•Location of the capillary network is investigated to maximize the performance.•The innovation can potentially lower down the grade of energy use in buildings.