Thermal Performance Test of a Phase-Change-Material Cool Roof System by a Scaled Model

Abstract

General cool roof is effective for reduction of cooling load, but it has a problem of increasing heating load. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to complement the disadvantages of the cool roof system by utilizing phase change characteristics of phase change material (PCM). The study was carried out to verify the thermal performance of the PCM cool roof system by measuring the temperature on the top and bottom of the PCM cool roof system by making a miniature model (600 × 600 × 600 mm). PCM was inserted and not inserted, and the temperature difference according to the finish color (brown and white) was compared. As a result, the plate surface temperature using PCM was lower than that without PCM, and time-lag of temperature increase occurred. As a result of the comparison of temperature according to the finish color (brown and white), white showed a low temperature distribution up to 16.35°C. Even at room temperature, white maintained a low temperature distribution of 5.40°C than brown. The use of PCM cool roof system in roof finishes could lower the surface temperature and keep the room temperature low.