Abstract
In this article, a novel concept of the latent heat thermal energy storage system combined with the conventional cooling system is proposed for the application of indoor thermal comfort. Lauryl alcohol with a melting point of 22-25°C is selected as phase change materials (PCM) for the study. From the results of experiment conducted with different mass of PCM, there is no change in temperature drop achieved while increasing PCM mass but there is increase in discharge time. The average air temperature in bottom chamber is maintained at 26°C which is in thermal comfort range throughout the experiment. For the experiments with different inlet air temperatures, higher drop in top chamber outlet air temperature is achieved for higher inlet temperatures. The temperature of the room can bring down to human thermal comfort range with a minimum duration of time with the proposed system irrespective of initial room temperature. The proposed system helps to maintain the buildings in human thermal comfort range with less-energy consumption when the conventional air-conditioning system is not in operation which in turn decreases the major energy consumption by the building sector through other auxiliary energy source.
