This technology is a composite concrete material created by mixing heat storage modules—made by vacuum-impregnating phase change materials (PCM) into the micropores of porous lightweight aggregates and applying a double-layer coating—into self-compacting concrete, with synthetic resin geogrids or PCM-filled carbon steel pipes embedded throughout its thickness.
While lightweight concrete is advantageous for its weight, insulation, and soundproofing, its high thermal conductivity between binders and aggregates has limited its insulation performance. Previous methods of mixing PCMs like paraffin wax directly into mortar reduced compressive strength, caused the PCM to leak out upon melting, and resulted in inconsistent heat storage performance depending on the operator's skill.
This technology uses a vacuum process to remove gas and moisture from pores before pressure-filling them with PCM and cooling them to solidify. A primary coating of epoxy and graphite powder prevents leakage, while a secondary coating of silica fume and carbon nanotubes protects the aggregate during pouring. Geogrids and carbon steel pipes are spaced more closely toward the surface, with pipes arranged in a zigzag pattern to provide both reinforcement and heat transfer. Applicable to floors and walls of zero-energy buildings, greenhouses, cold storage facilities, and precast panels in regions with high temperature fluctuations, this method allows for precise heat storage adjustment by varying the module mix ratio, ensuring structural integrity without PCM leakage or indoor temperature instability.
This invention was developed with support from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport's research on safety and performance evaluation technology for nano-concrete.
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