Interior comfort regulation with gypsum plasters

Abstract

In this work, the performance of a manually applied thin layer of a multilayer gypsum plaster system, for interior lining of walls and ceilings, incorporating phase change materials (PCM), is investigated. The study aims the development of a passive solar storage system that can be combined with both active heating and cooling storage systems and equipments. Mechanical and thermal tests were carried in laboratory, in two test cells and in residential buildings. Results so far showed that the gypsum plaster with 20%-wt. PCM reduces up to 45-50% flexural and compressive strengths, but the specifications of the European standard for these materials are fulfil. On what concerns thermal properties, the use of gypsum-PCM plaster reduces the maximum room temperature up to 5 ºC with a time delay of 3 hours and increases the minimum room temperature up to 1.5 ºC with a time delay of 2 hours. Besides, it also reduces room relative humidity up to 10%. Power savings of 0.44 W/m2wall.m2floor were estimated, with higher potential for lower temperatures, according to tests carried in a Passy’s test cell during the cooling season.