A multilayer panel in cork and natural phase change materials: thermal and energy analysis

This paper presents thermal and energy analysis of a multilayer panel in bio-based cork material and natural phase change materials (PCMs) for the development of prefabricated, recyclable and energy-efficient and autonomous building modules. For this purpose, a calculation tool is developed for the dynamic simulation of the thermal and energy behaviour of the sandwich panel. In particular, through an extensive parametric survey, the panel is sized with the identification of the arrangement of the layers, PCM temperature, and layer thicknesses to optimize the insulating and damping properties, considering typical climatic conditions of the Mediterranean climates of Southern Italy. From the conducted simulations, the types of sandwich panels that have the best insulating and storage characteristics for the building module construction were chosen. The results of these simulations will be used in future research for the preliminary design of tests to be carried out in a climatic chamber and to build a building module in real conditions to be constantly monitored through the automatic instrumental survey of internal and external physical quantities such as temperature, humidity and radiant temperature.