Performance of chilled ceiling panels using phase change material slurries as the heat transport medium

Phase change materials (PCM) are advantageous for the dynamic and static storage of thermal energy. By encapsulating PCM in a solid material, of small enough diameter to be suspended in a liquid, partially melting and solidifying slurries can be created with very high energy densities and heat transfer rates. Such slurries are both transport medium and energy storage medium, and can be designed for a specific set temperature. A microencapsulated PCM slurry with melting/crystallisation temperature around 18 °C has been analysed in a test chamber containing a chilled ceiling. The results from the test chamber are presented.