Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems

The latent heat storage of phase change materials (PCMs) can be used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Storing cool energy during the nighttime (off-peak hours) and releasing the cool energy during the daytime (on-peak hours) to reduce the number of starts of the chiller and pumps is a...

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Main Authors: Shun-Hsiung Peng, Shang-Lien Lo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/63
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author Shun-Hsiung Peng
Shang-Lien Lo
author_facet Shun-Hsiung Peng
Shang-Lien Lo
author_sort Shun-Hsiung Peng
collection DOAJ
description The latent heat storage of phase change materials (PCMs) can be used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Storing cool energy during the nighttime (off-peak hours) and releasing the cool energy during the daytime (on-peak hours) to reduce the number of starts of the chiller and pumps is a practical approach for achieving energy saving and carbon reduction. Therefore, selecting PCMs is vital for improving energy efficiency and preventing future energy shortages. However, selecting PCMs is complicated by their unique characteristics and types. The purpose of this study was to establish a PCM selection model by combining the Delphi, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods to select the optimal PCM type applied in cold storage. A numerical example was used to verify the model’s usability, confirming that A9 is the optimal PCM for the cold storage of an air conditioning system. This three-stage PCM selection model combining the Delphi, AHP, and VIKOR approaches provides a more suitable selection model and considers the selection method of material criteria. Moreover, it can solve the problem of difficult PCM selection. Simultaneously, it considers mechanisms to incorporate a company’s primary considerations into material selection for real-world applications. These results can facilitate material evaluation and selection during system design and material qualification, helping companies achieve the goals of energy saving, carbon reduction, and sustainable management in the future.
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spelling doaj.art-68cd33bdd81c47ecb4fe2fe83e7425142024-01-10T14:55:39ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732023-12-011716310.3390/en17010063Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning SystemsShun-Hsiung Peng0Shang-Lien Lo1Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71, Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei 106, TaiwanGraduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, 71, Chou-Shan Rd., Taipei 106, TaiwanThe latent heat storage of phase change materials (PCMs) can be used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Storing cool energy during the nighttime (off-peak hours) and releasing the cool energy during the daytime (on-peak hours) to reduce the number of starts of the chiller and pumps is a practical approach for achieving energy saving and carbon reduction. Therefore, selecting PCMs is vital for improving energy efficiency and preventing future energy shortages. However, selecting PCMs is complicated by their unique characteristics and types. The purpose of this study was to establish a PCM selection model by combining the Delphi, analytic hierarchy process (AHP), and VIseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) methods to select the optimal PCM type applied in cold storage. A numerical example was used to verify the model’s usability, confirming that A9 is the optimal PCM for the cold storage of an air conditioning system. This three-stage PCM selection model combining the Delphi, AHP, and VIKOR approaches provides a more suitable selection model and considers the selection method of material criteria. Moreover, it can solve the problem of difficult PCM selection. Simultaneously, it considers mechanisms to incorporate a company’s primary considerations into material selection for real-world applications. These results can facilitate material evaluation and selection during system design and material qualification, helping companies achieve the goals of energy saving, carbon reduction, and sustainable management in the future.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/63phase change materialcold storagemulti-criteria decision makingDelphi methodanalytic hierarchy process methodVIKOR method
spellingShingle Shun-Hsiung Peng
Shang-Lien Lo
Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
Energies
phase change material
cold storage
multi-criteria decision making
Delphi method
analytic hierarchy process method
VIKOR method
title Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
title_full Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
title_fullStr Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
title_full_unstemmed Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
title_short Hybrid (Optimal) Selection Model for Phase Change Materials Used in the Cold Energy Storage of Air Conditioning Systems
title_sort hybrid optimal selection model for phase change materials used in the cold energy storage of air conditioning systems
topic phase change material
cold storage
multi-criteria decision making
Delphi method
analytic hierarchy process method
VIKOR method
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/1/63
work_keys_str_mv AT shunhsiungpeng hybridoptimalselectionmodelforphasechangematerialsusedinthecoldenergystorageofairconditioningsystems
AT shanglienlo hybridoptimalselectionmodelforphasechangematerialsusedinthecoldenergystorageofairconditioningsystems