Thermal Performance of an Office Cubicle Integrated with a Bio-based PCM: Experimental Analyses

Phase change materials (PCM) have the potential to enhance the energy performance and thermal comfort of buildings. The main purpose of this work is to investigate the thermal performance and indoor climate benefits of bio-PCM integrated in an office cubicle. The study is based on experimental work, where air temperature of the 15 m2 test room, as well as the surface temperature of the PCM and the walls, floor and ceiling were recorded. Different scenarios were considered, including PCM used as a suspended ceiling without supporting ceiling plates, as well as PCM covered with ceiling plates. The preliminary result shows that a significant cooling effect could be achieved when using 17 m2 of uncovered PCM directly exposed to the occupied zone. The PCM could therefore, to a certain extent, reduce the need of mechanical cooling and thus save costs for installation, energy use and maintenance.