Plenum PCM Mat Assembly for Building Cooling Load Shifting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing phase change material (PCM) assemblies in buildings face challenges in achieving significant energy and cost savings while meeting economic models for acceptable Return on Investment (ROI) and First Cost, due to poor performance and long ROI, largely attributed to lack of engineering and technical development.

Innovation Solution

The development of StasisPCM, which uses bio-based PCMs encapsulated in plastic layers with heat transfer capabilities, optimized for specific melting and freezing temperature ranges, and engineered for installation in building plenum areas to store and release latent heat, reducing thermal energy loads and shifting energy use to off-peak hours.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If phase change material assemblies are installed in buildings to reduce energy consumption, then energy savings and cost reductions are achieved, but the ROI period is extended and first cost increases due to poor performance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidROI period

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the phase change material by selecting specific transition temperature ranges (72-76°F solid to liquid, 71-68°F liquid to solid) and controlling the amount per unit area (0.15-1.0 lbs per square foot). These parameter changes ensure the PCM activates during typical building operating conditions, maximizing energy savings while achieving acceptable ROI periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-cools or pre-heats the phase change material during off-peak hours when energy costs are lower, allowing the PCM to store thermal energy in advance. This preliminary action reduces the need for expensive peak-hour energy consumption and accelerates ROI by capturing value before high-demand periods occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of energy

If phase change material is used to store and release latent heat, then thermal energy management is improved, but the system complexity and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal energy managementVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The phase change material is encapsulated in thin plastic layers that provide containment while maintaining thermal transfer capability. This approach simplifies the system by eliminating complex rigid structures while still achieving effective thermal energy storage and release through the flexible encapsulation layers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The system combines phase change material with plastic encapsulation layers to create a composite structure that integrates thermal storage functionality with structural containment. This composite approach reduces overall system complexity by merging multiple functions into a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If phase change material assemblies are optimized for specific temperature ranges, then energy savings increase, but the adaptability to different climate zones and building conditions decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy savingsVSAvoidadaptability to climate zones

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent specifies optimized temperature transition ranges (72-76°F and 71-68°F) that align with typical building HVAC operating conditions. These parameter optimizations maximize energy savings during standard building operations while the plenum area installation location provides some adaptability to different climate zones by leveraging natural thermal stratification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

StasisPCM achieves energy consumption savings of 25-45% and cost reductions of 40-55% in cooling, with a shorter ROI, by effectively managing thermal energy and optimizing PCM assemblies for specific building conditions and climate zones.

Implementation Method 1

When the temperature of the phase change material is obtained which causes it to transition from a solid to a liquid state, the phase change material absorbs and stores a large amount of latent heat

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat absorption: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 2

When the temperature of the phase change material then passes so that the material goes from a liquid to a solid state, the stored latent heat is released into the environment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLatent heat release: Latent Heat

Implementation Method 3

a first mat including a phase change material encapsulated within layers of plastic material having heat transfer capability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS10634371B2System for energy consumption reduction and cost savings in a building

Publication Date: 2020.04.28 STASIS ENERGY GRP LLC

AI summary

A system for obtaining energy consumptions, savings and cost reduction in structures adapted for human habitation which includes the utilization of a plurality of mats including phase change material encapsulated within first and second layers of plastic material having heat transfer capability disposed within the plenum area above a ceiling of a room within a building with the amount of phase change material contained within each mat being between 0.5 lbs. and 0.67 lbs. per square foot.