Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)

Energy demand in the building sector has drastically increased due to rising occupant comfort requirements, accounting for 30% of the world’s final energy consumption and 26% of global carbon emissions. Thus, to improve building efficiency in heating and cooling applications, phase change material (...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Abir Hmida, Fouad Erchiqui, Abdelkader Laafer, Mahmoud Bourouis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-07-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3629
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849246551805788160
author Abir Hmida
Fouad Erchiqui
Abdelkader Laafer
Mahmoud Bourouis
author_facet Abir Hmida
Fouad Erchiqui
Abdelkader Laafer
Mahmoud Bourouis
author_sort Abir Hmida
collection DOAJ
description Energy demand in the building sector has drastically increased due to rising occupant comfort requirements, accounting for 30% of the world’s final energy consumption and 26% of global carbon emissions. Thus, to improve building efficiency in heating and cooling applications, phase change material (PCM)-based passive thermal management techniques have been considered due to their energy storage capabilities. This study provides a comprehensive review of the research on PCM applications, types, and encapsulation forms. Various solutions have been proposed to enhance PCM performance. In this review, the authors suggest new methods to improve PCM efficiency by using the multilayered wall technique, which involves employing two layers of a hybrid bio-composite—specifically, the hybrid hemp/wood fiber-reinforced composite with a polypropylene (PP) matrix—along with a layer of PCM made from spent coffee grounds (SCGs). Previous studies have shown that oil extracted from SCGs demonstrates good thermal and chemical stability, as it contains approximately 60–80% fatty acids, with a phase transition temperature of approximately 4.5 ± 0.72 °C and latent heat values of 51.15 ± 1.46 kJ/kg.
format Article
id doaj-art-4258daf80b0e41e2abad75b1d60e1cfb
institution Kabale University
issn 1996-1073
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Energies
spelling doaj-art-4258daf80b0e41e2abad75b1d60e1cfb2025-08-20T03:58:27ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-07-011814362910.3390/en18143629Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)Abir Hmida0Fouad Erchiqui1Abdelkader Laafer2Mahmoud Bourouis3School of Engineering, University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, CanadaSchool of Engineering, University of Quebec in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Rouyn-Noranda, QC J9X 5E4, CanadaOvamus Laboratory, LSTM Laboratory, Mechanical Department, Faculty of Technology, University of Blida 1, Blida 09000, AlgeriaDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Av. Països Catalans No. 26, 43007 Taragona, SpainEnergy demand in the building sector has drastically increased due to rising occupant comfort requirements, accounting for 30% of the world’s final energy consumption and 26% of global carbon emissions. Thus, to improve building efficiency in heating and cooling applications, phase change material (PCM)-based passive thermal management techniques have been considered due to their energy storage capabilities. This study provides a comprehensive review of the research on PCM applications, types, and encapsulation forms. Various solutions have been proposed to enhance PCM performance. In this review, the authors suggest new methods to improve PCM efficiency by using the multilayered wall technique, which involves employing two layers of a hybrid bio-composite—specifically, the hybrid hemp/wood fiber-reinforced composite with a polypropylene (PP) matrix—along with a layer of PCM made from spent coffee grounds (SCGs). Previous studies have shown that oil extracted from SCGs demonstrates good thermal and chemical stability, as it contains approximately 60–80% fatty acids, with a phase transition temperature of approximately 4.5 ± 0.72 °C and latent heat values of 51.15 ± 1.46 kJ/kg.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3629buildings’ energy efficiencythermal energy storagephase change materialscooling and heatingspent coffee grounds
spellingShingle Abir Hmida
Fouad Erchiqui
Abdelkader Laafer
Mahmoud Bourouis
Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
Energies
buildings’ energy efficiency
thermal energy storage
phase change materials
cooling and heating
spent coffee grounds
title Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
title_full Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
title_fullStr Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
title_full_unstemmed Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
title_short Energy Efficiency in Buildings Through the Application of Phase Change Materials: An In-Depth Analysis of the Integration of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs)
title_sort energy efficiency in buildings through the application of phase change materials an in depth analysis of the integration of spent coffee grounds scgs
topic buildings’ energy efficiency
thermal energy storage
phase change materials
cooling and heating
spent coffee grounds
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/14/3629
work_keys_str_mv AT abirhmida energyefficiencyinbuildingsthroughtheapplicationofphasechangematerialsanindepthanalysisoftheintegrationofspentcoffeegroundsscgs
AT fouaderchiqui energyefficiencyinbuildingsthroughtheapplicationofphasechangematerialsanindepthanalysisoftheintegrationofspentcoffeegroundsscgs
AT abdelkaderlaafer energyefficiencyinbuildingsthroughtheapplicationofphasechangematerialsanindepthanalysisoftheintegrationofspentcoffeegroundsscgs
AT mahmoudbourouis energyefficiencyinbuildingsthroughtheapplicationofphasechangematerialsanindepthanalysisoftheintegrationofspentcoffeegroundsscgs