Unraveling the applicability and thermal performance of PCM-impregnated wood in personalized comfort systems : thermal manikin verification

Abstract

Personalized comfort systems compared to conventional whole-space heating/cooling can simultaneously target individual requirements and reduce the building energy consumption. Renewable wooden furniture in interior spaces can influence human emotional perception and even thermal exchange, while the impregnation of the phase-change materials (PCM) can further improve their thermal regulation characteristics. However, the applicability of PCM-impregnated wood in personalized comfort systems and its performance on the contact skin temperature is not certain in the human microenvironment, especially when confronted with heat waves. The research aims to bridge material science with human micro-scale thermophysiology. After verifying the microstructure and morphology, spectroscopy test, latent heat, and infrared thermal imaging, the thermal manikin verification was conducted to record the fluctuations in skin temperature, heat loss, and corresponding thermal sensation. A latent heat of 99.1J/g for the PCM-wood composite can account for 42.9 % of the thermal capacity of the PCM. The surface temperature analysis from the infrared camera justified the time-lag effect (100min) and the peak temperature reduction (1.3-2.5°C). The manikin forearm in contact with the PCM-wood composite can extend the localized neutral sensation for around 17–34 min, with a 72 % increase in energy performance (4.3kJ). Composites with compensated PCM leakage can be prospectively used in personalized comfort systems. These findings can help regulate the human micro-thermal environment, further contributing to reducing building energy consumption.