Dynamics of melting process in phase change material windows determined based on direct light transmission

Abstract

Detailed analyses of melting processes in phase change material (PCM) glazing units, changes of direct transmittance as well as investigation of refraction index were provided based on laboratory measurements. The main goal of the study was to determine the direct light transmittance versus time under constant solar radiation intensity and stable temperature of the surrounding air. The experiment was conducted on a triple glazed unit with one cavity filled with a paraffin RT21HC as a PCM. The unit was installed in a special holder and exposed to the radiation from an artificial sun. The vertical illuminance was measured by luxmeters and compared with a reference case to determine the direct light transmittance. The transmittance was determined for the whole period of measurements when some specific artefacts were identified and theoretically explained based on values of refractive indexes for paraffins in the solid and liquid state, and for a glass. The melting process of a PCM in a glass unit was identified as a complex one, with interreflections and refraction of light on semi layers characterized by a different physical states (solid, liquid or mushy). These optical phenomena caused nonuniformity in light transmittance, especially when the PCM is in a mushy state. It was revealed that light transmittance versus temperature cannot be treated as a linear function.