Energy efficiency optimization of PCM and aerogel-filled multiple glazing windows

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 222; p. 119916
• Main Authors: Zhang, Shu, Hu, Wanyu, Li, Dong, Zhang, Chengjun, Arıcı, Müslüm, Yıldız, Çağatay, Zhang, Xin, Ma, Yuxin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01-05-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Climate; Cold climate; Configurations; Energy efficiency; Energy efficient building; Energy performance; Glazing; Heat loss; Heat transfer; Melt temperature; Melting; Melting point; Melting points; Optical properties; Optimization; PCM-Filled window; Radiation; Radiative heat transfer; Silica; Silica aerogel; Silica aerogels; Silicon dioxide; Thermal comfort; Thermodynamic properties; Triple glazed windows; Silica aerogel; Energy efficient building; Cold climate; Energy performance; PCM-Filled window; Optical properties
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.119916

The present work numerically investigated the energy performance of ten different glazing configurations in the severe cold climate of China. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of the glass windows filled with silica aerogel or PCM was analyzed and compared with traditional glass windows filled with air. In addition, to ensure the efficient functioning and minimize the heat loss through the PCM-filled window in the severe cold climate, three configurations of the triple-glazing selected for optimization and filled with silica aerogel and PCM were evaluated based on optical properties of the glass, thickness of the silica aerogel layer and melting point of the PCM. The transient solution for the simplified models of glazing units also included the radiative heat transfer. The results show that adding PCM into the glass window results in degradation of thermal performance of glass windows in winter. However, as the silica aerogel is used together with a PCM having a suitable melting temperature in triple pane windows, the thermal comfort can be improved. On the other hand, setting appropriate optical parameters of the glass for the radiation above 2.5 μm significantly enhances the energy efficiency of the glass window coupled with the silica aerogel and PCM.
•Thermal performance of glazing unit filled with silica aerogel and PCM is studied.•Three double-glazing windows and seven triple-glazing windows are considered.•Optimization of glazing unit is performed for the severe cold climate of China.•Impacts of optical properties of glass, silica aerogel thickness, and PCM melting point are examined.•Optical properties of glass for the radiation above 2.5 μm have significant effect on energy saving.