Beata Galiszewska, Kinga Kujawska
Wydział Inżynierii Środowiska, Geodezji i Energetyki Odnawialnej, Politechnika Świętokrzyska
Ciepłownictwo Ogrzewnictwo Wentylacja, 2026 (4), 26-34, DOI: https://doi.org/10.65545/COW.2026.04.04
Keywords: decentralized ventilation, façade ventilation, alternative supply/exhaust airflow, heat recovery, PCM
Abstract
Introduction. Current energy efficiency requirements for buildings necessitate high levels of airtightness. As a result, building are unable to maintain adequate air exchange through natural ventilation. In such cases, a mechanical ventilation
system must be installed to ensure forced air flow. In existing buildings, it is often impossible to install an extensive central
ventilation system. In such situations, an alternative solution is to use decentralised ventilation with alternating supply and
exhaust. The additional use of heat recovery contributes to reducing heat loss and increasing energy efficiency. As a result, decentralised devices represent a promising direction for development
in the field of ventilation.
Aim. The purpose of the study is to analyse the heat efficiency of heat exchangers filled with phase change materials (PCM) placed in decentralised ventilation unit. Methods. The decentralised single-duct ventilation unit for alternating exhaust and supply has been analysed. The alternate flow was caused by reversible fan. The unit is equipped with aluminium heat exchanger composed of 313 cylinders filled with Phase Change Material (PCM). Three variants of filling were studied (heat exchanger filled with water, coconut oil and jojoba oil). The tests were performed for a cycle length of 1 minute. Analysis was conducted under real conditions with the outdoor temperature ranging from 0 to −10°C, and the indoor temperature of approximately 20°C.
Conclusions. The test results showed that the highest heat recovery efficiency was achieved by the exchanger filled with jojoba oil, which reached a device efficiency of 68,5% at an external temperature of 0℃ and 67,67% at an external temperature of -10℃. The lowest heat recovery efficiency was obtained for the exchanger filled with water, which achieved a device efficiency of 66,54% at an external temperature of 0℃ and 65,46% at an external temperature of -10℃. The results obtained indicate the possibility of effective use of phase change materials in decentralised ventilation systems.
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