Reduction of interior temperature of mass concrete using suspension of phase change materials as cooling fluid

In order to evaluate the effect of suspension of phase change material (SPCM) on interior temperature rise and temperature gradient in concrete, a semi-adiabatic device was designed to measure the temperature changing in concrete specimens. Both SPCM and water were used as cooling fluid to evaluate its cooling effect. The temperature difference (TD) and temperature gradient (TG) at different locations were tested and analyzed. The consumption of cooling fluid and corresponding temperature difference between concrete and cooling fluid was also calculated. The results showed that when water was replaced by SPCM as cooling fluid, the temperature reducing extent can be increased 27–28%, and the temperature difference can be decrease 7.6–8.4%. SPCM has a great significance on the cooling of interior temperature rise caused by cement hydration.

► The new non-toxic and recyclable phase change material was made.
► The cooling effect of this material was tested in the mass concrete comparing with the water.
► The phase change material had a great significance effect on the cooling of interior temperature rise caused by cement hydration comparing with water.