Performance of Storage Walls with Highly Conductive Covering Plates and Connecting Fins

The thermal behavior of a storage wall, constructed of concrete, with highly conductive covering plates and connecting vertical fins, is investigated. The results demonstrate that, during the charging mode, the amount of energy released from the front surface is significantly reduced. A portion of the saved energy is stored for future discharge, but a large portion is transferred to the back surface and released. A selective front surface further reduces the energy released from the front surface, and this energy is stored. By properly selecting the fin spacing, plate-fin thickness, and plate-fin thermal conductivity, the rate and direction of thermal discharge can be controlled. The improved heat transfer capability and added thermal control provide new alternatives for interzonal heat transfer and multizone passive building designs.