Numerical Investigation of Phase Change Materials for Insulation of Residential Buildings in Hot Regions in Iraqi cities

In this paper, numerical study has been conducted for using PCM as thermal insulation materials by incorporating it with layers of walls and ceiling of buildings. The effect of PCM and its role in improvement of thermal performance and thermal comfort is numerically studied. ESP-r software program has been used for numerical simulation in this paper. Energy plus weather database software was used to create climate date for Kut city (32.5 oN 45.8 oE) that used for simulation in this study. Two identical rooms were inserted in software ESP-r with dimensions (1.5m*1.5m*1m), the first is standard room for comparison and the second is test room for experimenting. Many cases were studied according to the thickness of the PCM and according to the orientation (North wall, South wall, East wall, West wall, and ceiling). Results obtained showed a reduction in indoor temperature of the zone and the reduction in the cooling load and as a result saving in electricity consumption with using PCM as insulation materials.