BSEE Walking on ThinICE T
he latest heating and cooling technology from PCM Products is efficiency and environmentally friendly and combines the idea of conventional underfloor heating with a unique underfloor energy
storage system. THINICE Applications
By introducing eutectic products into a radiant heating system, it is possible to capture excess heating during the daytime and maintain that heat into the cold of night. 27°C (81°F) phase change material (PCM) is sealed inside HDPE modules. This material captures energy by melting and releases it when it freezes. All conventional floor finishes are rated to handle these temperatures.
Each module features a number of grooves which are optimally spaced out for runs of underfloor heat pipes, this close contact with the PCM ensures the best heat transfer possible. They allow for pipe lengths to be easily held in place during the installation process requiring no specialist skills. Once installed, the thermal mass of a building may be increased by as much as 10~15 times. Thanks to there being no moving parts, PCM TES is effectively maintenance free and once installed it simply becomes part of the building.
For the best results, this can be paired with a ground source heat pump (GSHP) or other renewable heating systems so that the entire PCM TES can be charged with free energy and then discharged nightly.
Installation
At normal conditions the PCM will be in solid form, making the modules very robust. Rows of modules can be laid directly on top of the insulation layer replacing conventional castellated panels. This creates a grid which allows the heating pipe to be laid easily, holding the heat pipe in place throughout the screeding process to ensure that the finished underfloor heating system will distribute heat evenly.
System Sizing
Eight PCM modules can be installed per m2. This allows for up to 0.995 kWh/m2 TES. For installers, it is important that the heating system has the appropriate power. This can be easily estimated using the formula below:
THINICE Modules
An individual PCM module is known as a ThinICE. They are filled with 1.6 litres of PCM solution which is then triple sealed for maximum security. It is possible to install these modules in the ceiling and other locations as a means of thermal energy storage. It is possible to fill these modules with any of our S-range PCMs, not only S27.
About PCM Example
An underfloor heating system is planned for an 25m2 room. There is an anticipated peak heat load of 1400W and there is a 10 hour charging period available. Using the above, we know that approximately 200 PCM modules could be installed.
For more than two decades we have been involved in the development of Phase Change Materials (PCMs). With unrivalled experience in designing and advising on PCM installations and applications, we continue to push the boundaries in PCM usage for the benefit of our ever-growing customer base.
In addition to our technical expertise, we offer (under the PlusICE branding) what we believe to be the most comprehensive range of PCM solutions currently available commercially (-100°C (-148°F) to +885°C (+1,625°F)).
From initial concept, research and development to production and distribution, our office and manufacturing facility in the UK and our Licensed outlets around the world offer bespoke products to meet unique customer requirements. And of course, good ideas are not the exclusive right of PCM! Many of the non-standard applications are initiated by our customers, whether end-user or developer. Our technical team is happy to take ideas from conception through to completion including full commercialisation, with or without our production under a Licensee option.
Since 1996 our design team has been working on many different products and applications around the World all the way from the International Space Station down to submarine cooling applications.
20 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2020
Over the years we have gained extensive in- house thermal balance, mechanical and chemical know-how built around our PCM product range and we would be happy to share our experiences with any client who wishes to develop a custom-made product using PCM technologies from initial concept idea all the way to full production and marketing support. We have many licensees using our PlusICE product range, either as raw material or manufactured product. Some of the applications are initiated by our organisation, but the majority of non-standard applications come from the minds of the end-user or developer.
Development & Consultancy
PCM Products Ltd. offer full consultancy and product development services whereby we look into a) Performance b) Practicality c) Economical aspects of your design ideas using PCM material and come up with the best performance with the most economical design solution. Your idea would be best explored by carrying out a desktop study complete with an Executive Summary establishing whether there is any mileage on any of these ideas by looking into the design and providing practical data.
We have carried out many desktop studies over the years for a wide range of companies & organizations around the World and gained extensive theoretical and practical experiences applying PCM solutions, often modifying / developing new PCM solutions to suit the application.
Should you wish to come up with a custom- made optimised solution for your application, we should be able to explore this avenue for you and see what we can jointly do.
We have many licensees using our PlusICE product range, either as raw material or manufactured product. Some of the applications are initiated by our organisation, but the majority of non-standard applications come from the minds of the end-user or developer. To this end, please drop us a confidential e-mail to our group's President, Mr Zafer Ure, at
z.ure@pcmproducts.net, who would be more than happy to explore the possibilities of working together.
+44 (0)1733 245511
Info@pcmproducts.net
www.pcmproducts.net
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FEATURE
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