Design optimization of passive PCM-enhanced hospital buildings for efficient energy-saving

Given the significant energy consumption of hospital buildings, effective energy-saving designs are crucial for advancing their environmental sustainability. Utilizing phase change materials (PCM) as thermal energy storage media can reduce energy use and carbon emissions in hospital buildings. This study aims to explore the optimal spatial layout design method and determine the most effective design approach for PCM partition walls in different climate zones for energy-efficient hospital buildings. The results reveal that the optimized outpatient department layout can achieve energy consumption reductions of 14.95 kW center dot h/(m2 center dot year), and 6.4 kW center dot h/ (m2 center dot year) for the imaging department. Moreover, it is essential to choose the appropriate phase transition temperature for the PCM based on the local temperature range and the equipment's impact on indoor temperature. Furthermore, through the polynomial regression optimal PCM thickness prediction (PRO-PCM) algorithm proposed in this study, the critical thickness of PCM in the partition walls of the outpatient department is determined to be 2.97 mm. Beyond this threshold, additional increases in thickness result in minimal reductions in energy consumption. Overall, this study introduces targeted optimization of spatial layout and PCM partition wall designs, significantly minimize energy consumption in hospital buildings and guiding future advancements in the design of energy-efficient hospital buildings.