Feasibility research of using phase change materials to reduce the inner temperature rise of mass concrete

Abstract

In order to evaluate the feasibility of using phase change materials to reduce the inner temperature rise of mass concrete, the interior temperature of normal concrete specimen under semi-adiabatic curing condition was measured. The effect of embedding phase change material (PCM) and replacing water with suspension of phase change material (SPCM) as cooling fluid were compared in the experiment. The cooling effect and the affecting factors were analyzed and calculated. The research results showed that the peak of inner temperature could be decreased obviously by the method of pre-embeding PCM in concrete, however, this method is only effective in the initial stage of cement hydration process. Besides, the volume of PCM is rather big and the PCM can not be used circularly, which means that this method can only be used under special condition and the feasibility is low. When SPCM was used as cooling fluid, the interior temperature rise of mass concrete was reduced more effectively, and the temperature grads peak around the cooling pipe was also reduced. Besides, both the SPCM consumption amount and the circulation time were decreased, and most important is that the SPCM is recyclable. The technical and economical feasibility of using SPCM to reduce the inner temperature rise of mass concrete is high.

Keywords

phase change material / suspension of phase change material / mass concrete / interior temperature rise / feasibility

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