Numerical Study on the Combined Use of Corten Steel and Phase Change Materials in Container-Type Houses

A study is presented on the feasibility of an approach based on the combination of Phase Change Materials (PCM) with metal walls in container-type houses. This line of research finds its motivations in recent trends in the energy and building sectors about energy consumption reduction. Another important objective concerns possible improvements in the comfort provided by such houses during the summer period. The results obtained through numerical solution of the governing equations accounting for heat transfer and latent heat effects associated with the PCM show that the indoor temperature can be reduced with a varying degree of success depending on the considered conditions.