THERMAL ANALYSIS OF A NOVEL PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM) AND ITS IMPACT ON BUILDING ENERGY PERFORMANCE: A CASE STUDY IN ARID CLIMATES

This study investigates a bio-organic phase change material (BO-PCM) as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based PCMs for building applications. Fatty acids were evaluated based on such criteria as cost, availability, environmental impact, and renewable sourcing. A combination of stearic acid (SA) and myristic acid (MA) was identified as the most suitable for this purpose. Eutectic mixtures of these acids were synthesized in various proportions, with the optimal composition determined to be 70% myristic acid and 30% stearic acid. The thermal properties, including melting temperature and enthalpy of fusion, were experimentally characterized using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Numerical simulations conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics assessed the thermal performance of incorporating the selected PCM into a wall under extreme summer conditions in several Algerian cities. Two wall configurations were analyzed: one incorporating the PCM and a control wall without it. The results demonstrated a significant enhancement in energy storage capacity when the bio-organic PCM was integrated. Specifically, the incorporation of the PCM reduced the maximum internal wall temperature by 2.4°C in Adrar, 2.1°C in Tindouf, and 1.6°C in Ain Salah. These findings indicate that the proposed bio-organic PCM is a promising solution for improving building energy efficiency in arid regions like Algeria.