IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v18y2025i4p848-d1588843.html

Integrated Phase-Change Materials in a Hybrid Windcatcher Ventilation System

Author

Listed:
  • Olamide Eso

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • Jo Darkwa

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

  • John Calautit

    (Department of Architecture and Built Environment, Faculty of Engineering, University of Nottingham, University Park Campus, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

Abstract

Windcatchers are effective passive ventilation systems, but their inability to actively reduce and stabilize supply air temperatures reduces indoor cooling performance. This study addresses this limitation by integrating encapsulated phase-change material tubes (E-PCM-Ts) into a solar fan-assisted, multidirectional windcatcher. The novelty lies in the vertical placement of E-PCM-Ts within the windcatcher’s airstreams, enhancing heat transfer and addressing challenges related to temperature stabilization and cooling. Using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) under hot outdoor conditions, the ventilation, cooling, and PCM thermal storage performance are evaluated based on two different E-PCM-T arrangements. Results showed a maximum air temperature drop of 2.28 °C at a wind speed of 1.88 m/s and wind angle of 0°. This offers an optimal temperature reduction that achieved a 6.5% reduction for up to 7 h of air temperature stabilization. Placing E-PCM-Ts in all airstreams improved the thermal storage performance of the windcatcher. A 50% increase in hybrid ventilation efficiency was also achieved when wind angles increased from 0° to 30°. Overall, the proposed system demonstrated superior performance compared to that of traditional windcatchers, delivering improved thermal energy storage and cooling efficiency and adequate hybrid ventilation with supply air velocities of 0.37–0.60 m/s.

Suggested Citation

  • Olamide Eso & Jo Darkwa & John Calautit, 2025. "Integrated Phase-Change Materials in a Hybrid Windcatcher Ventilation System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-36, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:848-:d:1588843
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/848/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/4/848/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bouchahm, Yasmina & Bourbia, Fatiha & Belhamri, Azeddine, 2011. "Performance analysis and improvement of the use of wind tower in hot dry climate," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 898-906.
    2. Rouault, Fabien & Bruneau, Denis & Sebastian, Patrick & Lopez, Jérôme, 2013. "Numerical modelling of tube bundle thermal energy storage for free-cooling of buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 1099-1106.
    3. Kutub Uddin & Bidyut Baran Saha, 2022. "An Overview of Environment-Friendly Refrigerants for Domestic Air Conditioning Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-24, October.
    4. Hughes, Ben Richard & Calautit, John Kaiser & Ghani, Saud Abdul, 2012. "The development of commercial wind towers for natural ventilation: A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 606-627.
    5. Afaq Hyder Chohan & Jihad Awad, 2022. "Wind Catchers: An Element of Passive Ventilation in Hot, Arid and Humid Regions, a Comparative Analysis of Their Design and Function," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, September.
    6. Calautit, John Kaiser & O’Connor, Dominic & Tien, Paige Wenbin & Wei, Shuangyu & Pantua, Conrad Allan Jay & Hughes, Ben, 2020. "Development of a natural ventilation windcatcher with passive heat recovery wheel for mild-cold climates: CFD and experimental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 465-482.
    7. Rashid, Syed Aftab & Haider, Zeeshan & Chapal Hossain, S.M. & Memon, Kashan & Panhwar, Fazil & Mbogba, Momoh Karmah & Hu, Peng & Zhao, Gang, 2019. "Retrofitting low-cost heating ventilation and air-conditioning systems for energy management in buildings," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 236(C), pages 648-661.
    8. Lei, Jiawei & Yang, Jinglei & Yang, En-Hua, 2016. "Energy performance of building envelopes integrated with phase change materials for cooling load reduction in tropical Singapore," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 207-217.
    9. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Nasir, Diana SNM, 2017. "Climatic analysis of a passive cooling technology for the built environment in hot countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 321-335.
    10. Lizana, Jesus & de-Borja-Torrejon, Manuel & Barrios-Padura, Angela & Auer, Thomas & Chacartegui, Ricardo, 2019. "Passive cooling through phase change materials in buildings. A critical study of implementation alternatives," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    11. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Shahzad, Sally Salome, 2015. "CFD and wind tunnel study of the performance of a uni-directional wind catcher with heat transfer devices," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 85-99.
    12. Zhong, Fangliang & Calautit, John Kaiser & Wu, Yupeng, 2022. "Assessment of HVAC system operational fault impacts and multiple faults interactions under climate change," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    13. Calautit, John Kaiser & Chaudhry, Hassam Nasarullah & Hughes, Ben Richard & Ghani, Saud Abdul, 2013. "Comparison between evaporative cooling and a heat pipe assisted thermal loop for a commercial wind tower in hot and dry climatic conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 740-755.
    14. Payam Nejat & Yashar Fekri & Mohammadamin Sheikhshahrokhdehkordi & Fatemeh Jomehzadeh & Hayder Alsaad & Conrad Voelker, 2024. "The Windcatcher: A Renewable-Energy-Powered Device for Natural Ventilation—The Impact of Upper Wing Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-17, January.
    15. O’Connor, Dominic & Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2016. "A novel design of a desiccant rotary wheel for passive ventilation applications," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 99-109.
    16. Afshin, M. & Sohankar, A. & Manshadi, M. Dehghan & Esfeh, M. Kazemi, 2016. "An experimental study on the evaluation of natural ventilation performance of a two-sided wind-catcher for various wind angles," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 1068-1078.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Liu, Miaomiao & Nejat, Payam & Cao, Pinlu & Jimenez-Bescos, Carlos & Calautit, John Kaiser, 2024. "A critical review of windcatcher ventilation: Micro-environment, techno-economics, and commercialisation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 191(C).
    2. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & O’Connor, Dominic & Shahzad, Sally Salome, 2017. "Numerical and experimental analysis of a multi-directional wind tower integrated with vertically-arranged heat transfer devices (VHTD)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 1120-1135.
    3. Jomehzadeh, Fatemeh & Nejat, Payam & Calautit, John Kaiser & Yusof, Mohd Badruddin Mohd & Zaki, Sheikh Ahmad & Hughes, Ben Richard & Yazid, Muhammad Noor Afiq Witri Muhammad, 2017. "A review on windcatcher for passive cooling and natural ventilation in buildings, Part 1: Indoor air quality and thermal comfort assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 736-756.
    4. Calautit, John Kaiser & O’Connor, Dominic & Tien, Paige Wenbin & Wei, Shuangyu & Pantua, Conrad Allan Jay & Hughes, Ben, 2020. "Development of a natural ventilation windcatcher with passive heat recovery wheel for mild-cold climates: CFD and experimental analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 465-482.
    5. Zhang, Haihua & Yang, Dong & Tam, Vivian W.Y. & Tao, Yao & Zhang, Guomin & Setunge, Sujeeva & Shi, Long, 2021. "A critical review of combined natural ventilation techniques in sustainable buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    6. Alsailani, M. & Montazeri, H. & Rezaeiha, A., 2021. "Towards optimal aerodynamic design of wind catchers: Impact of geometrical characteristics," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 1344-1363.
    7. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2016. "A passive cooling wind catcher with heat pipe technology: CFD, wind tunnel and field-test analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 460-471.
    8. Afaq Hyder Chohan & Jihad Awad, 2022. "Wind Catchers: An Element of Passive Ventilation in Hot, Arid and Humid Regions, a Comparative Analysis of Their Design and Function," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-23, September.
    9. Ahmed, Tariq & Kumar, Prashant & Mottet, Laetitia, 2021. "Natural ventilation in warm climates: The challenges of thermal comfort, heatwave resilience and indoor air quality," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    10. Qingsong Ma & Guangwei Qian & Menghui Yu & Lingrui Li & Xindong Wei, 2024. "Performance of Windcatchers in Improving Indoor Air Quality, Thermal Comfort, and Energy Efficiency: A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Akeiber, Hussein & Nejat, Payam & Majid, Muhd Zaimi Abd. & Wahid, Mazlan A. & Jomehzadeh, Fatemeh & Zeynali Famileh, Iman & Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Zaki, Sheikh Ahmad, 2016. "A review on phase change material (PCM) for sustainable passive cooling in building envelopes," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 1470-1497.
    12. Calautit, John Kaiser & Hughes, Ben Richard & Nasir, Diana SNM, 2017. "Climatic analysis of a passive cooling technology for the built environment in hot countries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 186(P3), pages 321-335.
    13. Calautit, John Kaiser & O'Connor, Dominic & Hughes, Ben Richard, 2016. "A natural ventilation wind tower with heat pipe heat recovery for cold climates," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(P3), pages 1088-1104.
    14. Montazeri, H. & Montazeri, F., 2018. "CFD simulation of cross-ventilation in buildings using rooftop wind-catchers: Impact of outlet openings," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 502-520.
    15. Hala Sirror, 2024. "Innovative Approaches to Windcatcher Design: A Review on Balancing Tradition Sustainability and Modern Technologies for Enhanced Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-27, November.
    16. Pantua, Conrad Allan Jay & Calautit, John Kaiser & Wu, Yupeng, 2021. "Sustainability and structural resilience of building integrated photovoltaics subjected to typhoon strength winds," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 301(C).
    17. Payam Nejat & Fatemeh Jomehzadeh & Hasanen Mohammed Hussen & John Kaiser Calautit & Muhd Zaimi Abd Majid, 2018. "Application of Wind as a Renewable Energy Source for Passive Cooling through Windcatchers Integrated with Wing Walls," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-23, September.
    18. Bre, Facundo & Lamberts, Roberto & Flores-Larsen, Silvana & Koenders, Eduardus A.B., 2023. "Multi-objective optimization of latent energy storage in buildings by using phase change materials with different melting temperatures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 336(C).
    19. Kang, Daeho & Strand, Richard K., 2016. "Significance of parameters affecting the performance of a passive down-draft evaporative cooling (PDEC) tower with a spray system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 269-280.
    20. Cui, X. & Chua, K.J. & Yang, W.M., 2014. "Numerical simulation of a novel energy-efficient dew-point evaporative air cooler," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 979-988.

    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:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:848-:d:1588843. 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: MDPI Indexing Manager The email address of this maintainer does not seem to be valid anymore. Please ask MDPI Indexing Manager to update the entry or send us the correct address (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    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.