PCM Installation Guideline for Shelter Applications
The following steps should be taken to ensure reliable, good quality back-up, particularly for installation in Telecom Shelters:
The following steps should be taken to ensure reliable, good quality back-up, particularly for installation in Telecom Shelters:
Demands for phase change materials increased with its vast usage in the Telecom Sector. In the mobile telecom industry, PCM is used by encapsulating it in its uniquely designed High Density Polyethlene (HDPE) profiles. With the telecom switch, battery and the SMPS being the main source of heat in the telecom cabin; air conditioning units are used to maintain the desired temperatures around 23 – 24°C, allowing it to rise up to 34°C maximum. In the absence of power to AC units, the temperature can rise sharply, thus, an alternate power source becomes mandatory. Upon power failure, PCM panels lined along the wall provide backup cooling (with forced air circulation). On changing phase, the latent heat is released or absorbed, allowing the ambient temperature within the system to be maintained. This minimizes the use of diesel generators during power outages, saving on maintenance and operation costs of the generator. Furthermore, increased savings can also be achieved with the use of complementary systems like heat exchanger/fan.
| Insulating Material |
Density | Thermal Conductivity W/MK(10°C) |
Compressive Strength KPA |
Relative Moisture Absorption |
| Expanded Polystyrene15 |
15
|
0.040
|
35
|
Medium
|
| Expanded Polystyrene 30 |
30
|
0.037
|
110
|
Medium
|
| Extruded Polystyrene |
32
|
0.27
|
300
|
Medium
|
| Polyurethane Foam |
36
|
0.018
|
200
|
Low
|
| Phenolic Foam |
32
|
0.027
|
170
|
Low
|
| Cellular Foam |
125
|
0.41
|
700
|
Low
|
| Mineral Wool |
24
|
0.045
|
Negligible
|
Very High
|