IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v280y2023ics0360544223014779.html

A comprehensive study on transient thermal behaviors and performances of the modular pipe-embedded energy wall system under intermittent operation conditions

Author

Listed:
  • Yang, Yang
  • Chen, Sarula
  • Zhang, Jiqiang

Abstract

The active thermal insulation technology based on utilizing low-grade thermal energy makes the opaque envelopes gradually be treated as multifunctional components with structural and energy properties. In this study, the dynamic thermal behaviors of modular pipe-embedded energy (MPE) walls integrated with pipe installation cavity and backfilling material are numerically studied, and then the impacts of key variables on MPE walls are explored. Results show that the thermal behaviors of MPE walls can be significantly improved under all intermittent charging modes, while the maximum extra heat loss caused by applying filler cavity and backfilling material is only 2.4%. When the injection time is kept constant, MPE walls operated in multi-pulse modes, especially those with higher heat injection frequency (e.g., 3On3Off mode), can achieve a better performance enhancement and operating energy reduction effect. Besides, a reasonable increase in λf-value or a:b-value can effectively alleviate the heat accumulation around water pipes. In addition, the energy consumption of heat charging systems can be significantly reduced when performance indicators can be slightly sacrificed. Results highlight the effectiveness of adding pipe cavity and backfilling materials in enhancing the performance of MPE walls, which can provide theoretical guidance and data support for such walls in the future.

Suggested Citation

  • Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula & Zhang, Jiqiang, 2023. "A comprehensive study on transient thermal behaviors and performances of the modular pipe-embedded energy wall system under intermittent operation conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 280(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:280:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223014779
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.128083
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544223014779
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2023.128083?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yu, Cairui & Shen, Dongmei & He, Wei & Hu, Zhongting & Zhang, Sheng & Chu, Wenfeng, 2021. "Parametric analysis of the phase change material wall combining with micro-channel heat pipe and sky radiative cooling technology," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 1057-1069.
    2. Romaní, Joaquim & Belusko, Martin & Alemu, Alemu & Cabeza, Luisa F. & de Gracia, Alvaro & Bruno, Frank, 2018. "Optimization of deterministic controls for a cooling radiant wall coupled to a PV array," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C), pages 1103-1110.
    3. Heidenthaler, Daniel & Leeb, Markus & Schnabel, Thomas & Huber, Hermann, 2021. "Comparative analysis of thermally activated building systems in wooden and concrete structures regarding functionality and energy storage on a simulation-based approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    4. Niu, Fuxin & Yu, Yuebin, 2016. "Location and optimization analysis of capillary tube network embedded in active tuning building wall," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 36-45.
    5. Krzaczek, M. & Florczuk, J. & Tejchman, J., 2019. "Improved energy management technique in pipe-embedded wall heating/cooling system in residential buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    6. Yan, Tian & Zhou, Xuan & Xu, Xinhua & Yu, Jinghua & Li, Xianting, 2022. "Parametric analysis on performances of the pipe-encapsulated PCM (PenPCM) wall system coupled with gravity heat-pipe and nocturnal radiant cooler," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 161-180.
    7. Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula, 2022. "Thermal insulation solutions for opaque envelope of low-energy buildings: A systematic review of methods and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    8. Galina Churkina & Alan Organschi & Christopher P. O. Reyer & Andrew Ruff & Kira Vinke & Zhu Liu & Barbara K. Reck & T. E. Graedel & Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, 2020. "Buildings as a global carbon sink," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 3(4), pages 269-276, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Yaxin & Wang, Huan & Li, Xianting, 2025. "Field test on the thermal performance of double-layer pipe-embedded wall heating system with shallow geothermal energy and air source heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PD).
    2. Fan, Shiguang & Yan, Tian & Che, Lunfei & Liu, Jun & Li, Xianting & Lyu, Weihua & Xu, Xinhua, 2025. "An energy saving potential evaluation method of a pipe-embedded wall integrated with natural energies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    3. Su, Xing & Chen, Chaoyang & Huang, Yixiang & Tian, Shaochen & Xia, Jihao & Liu, Jun & Yu, Yuanbo, 2024. "System reliability study of geothermal energy walls in subway stations based on rapid thermal performance prediction model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    4. Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula & Huang, Yuxin & Li, Xianyue & Ge, Yue, 2025. "Employing modular phase change filler structures to enhance comprehensive performance of pipe-embedded energy walls under intermittent injection mode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 322(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula & Li, Shuying & Xiao, Xiuyi & Chen, Tianhang, 2024. "Comprehensive analysis of thermal performance and low-grade energy charging efficiency of pipe-embedded building envelopes enhanced with single-level tree-shaped fin structures," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PB).
    2. Zhang, Guangpeng & Wu, Huijun & Liu, Jia & Liu, Yanchen & Ding, Yujie & Huang, Huakun, 2024. "A review on switchable building envelopes for low-energy buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 202(C).
    3. Yang, Yang & Chen, Sarula, 2022. "Thermal insulation solutions for opaque envelope of low-energy buildings: A systematic review of methods and applications," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    4. Zhao, Yaxin & Li, Xianting, 2025. "A design method for insulation distribution to achieve year-round energy-efficient operation of double-layer pipe-embedded wall," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    5. Chen, Zhaoxin & Li, Jiaxuan & Tang, Guoqiang & Zhang, Jiahao & Zhang, Donghai & Gao, Penghui, 2024. "High-efficiency heating and cooling technology with embedded pipes in buildings and underground structures: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 192(C).
    6. María M. Villar-Ramos & Iván Hernández-Pérez & Karla M. Aguilar-Castro & Ivett Zavala-Guillén & Edgar V. Macias-Melo & Irving Hernández-López & Juan Serrano-Arellano, 2022. "A Review of Thermally Activated Building Systems (TABS) as an Alternative for Improving the Indoor Environment of Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-31, August.
    7. Sun, Xueying & Zheng, Wenke & Feng, Kang & Li, Jiaxiang & Zheng, Ziqiang & Ke, Menglian & Jiang, Yiqiang & Hu, Bei & Qiu, Shanshan & Liu, Jing, 2025. "Experimental study on a passive dome containment cooling system using heat pipe technology: Effect of heat pipe structure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(C).
    8. Zhang, Aitonglu & Xiong, Yaxuan & Zhao, Yanqi & Wu, Yuting & Xu, Qian & Ding, Yulong, 2025. "A review of passive building thermal management with phase-change materials," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 211(C).
    9. Liu, Yang & Pedrycz, Witold & Deveci, Muhammet & Chen, Zhen-Song, 2024. "BIM-based building performance assessment of green buildings - A case study from China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 373(C).
    10. Etienne Lorang & Antonello Lobianco & Philippe Delacote, 2023. "Increasing Paper and Cardboard Recycling: Impacts on the Forest Sector and Carbon Emissions," Post-Print hal-04690101, HAL.
    11. Liu, Long & Wang, Mingqing & Chen, Yu, 2019. "A practical research on capillaries used as a front-end heat exchanger of seawater-source heat pump," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 170-179.
    12. Bayne, Karen M. & Grant, Andrea, 2024. "Who cares what happens with planted forests? A public typology to assist community engagement and communication," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    13. Yan, Peiliang & Fan, Weijun & Han, Yu & Ding, Hongbing & Wen, Chuang & Elbarghthi, Anas F.A. & Yang, Yan, 2023. "Leaf-vein bionic fin configurations for enhanced thermal energy storage performance of phase change materials in smart heating and cooling systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 346(C).
    14. Han, Yichen & Zhou, Zhengnan & Wang, Chaohong & Li, Wenwen & Liu, Yuqiu & Jia, Zhuoyang, 2025. "Arranging the inherent thermal mass of urban buildings enhances passive energy harvesting in winter," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    15. Gao, Jiajia & Li, Anbang & Xu, Xinhua & Gang, Wenjie & Yan, Tian, 2018. "Ground heat exchangers: Applications, technology integration and potentials for zero energy buildings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 128(PA), pages 337-349.
    16. Zhao, Yaxin & Wang, Huan & Li, Xianting, 2025. "Field test on the thermal performance of double-layer pipe-embedded wall heating system with shallow geothermal energy and air source heat pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PD).
    17. Fan, Shiguang & Yan, Tian & Che, Lunfei & Liu, Jun & Li, Xianting & Lyu, Weihua & Xu, Xinhua, 2025. "An energy saving potential evaluation method of a pipe-embedded wall integrated with natural energies," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(C).
    18. Cindy X. Chen & Francesca Pierobon & Susan Jones & Ian Maples & Yingchun Gong & Indroneil Ganguly, 2021. "Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of Mass Timber and Concrete Residential Buildings: A Case Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    19. Yan, Tian & Zhou, Xuan & Xu, Xinhua & Yu, Jinghua & Li, Xianting, 2022. "Parametric analysis on performances of the pipe-encapsulated PCM (PenPCM) wall system coupled with gravity heat-pipe and nocturnal radiant cooler," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 161-180.
    20. Pérez-Sánchez, Laura À. & Velasco-Fernández, Raúl & Giampietro, Mario, 2022. "Factors and actions for the sustainability of the residential sector. The nexus of energy, materials, space, and time use," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:280:y:2023:i:c:s0360544223014779. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.