Numerical modelling of radiant systems and phase change materials in building applications - a review

Abstract

As a result of increasing environmental and economic concerns, the demand for more efficient energetic systems has augmented, leading to a greater focus on investigating new solutions. The latest developments in the integration of radiant systems in buildings have shown promising results, being a feasible and more efficient technology. In this regard, an analysis of the current state of the radiant system's development is performed, focusing on several studies made in recent years. The aim of this article is to outline the current state of the numerical modelling of radiant systems, with a greater focus on the modelling of PCM in radiant systems, which hasn't been thoroughly done in the literature up until this moment. Its objective is to present researchers the necessary information about the function of PCM radiant systems, as well as to provide insight into the most used methods for numerical model development and their theoretical mathematical fundamentals, regarding its thermal behaviour. The accuracy and effectiveness of various numerical modelling methods are assessed and compared. Several experimental and numerical studies available in the literature are presented. A discussion between the various pros and cons of the most relevant studies is carried out, and possible solutions are suggested for future work