ABSORPTION OF PHASE-CHANGE MATERIALS IN CONCRETE

Increasing interest is being shown in the use of organic phase change materials (PCMs) in concrete building materials for heat storage. This has led to studies in means of improving their thermal performance. A principal factor in the effective use of PCM concrete is the amount of PCM which can be absorbed. This study examines the mechanisms of absorption and establishes a means of developing and using absorption constants for PCM concrete to achieve diffusion of the desired amount of organic PCM and hence the required thermal storage capacity. The effects of temperature, PCM viscosity, concrete density and hydrogen bonding on PCM penetration were demonstrated. Void fractions in the concrete and the manner in which they were filled with PCM was also observed.