Characterization of Thermal and Engineering Properties of Lightweight Concrete Incorporated with Paraffin-Oil Palm Kernel Shell Composite Phase Change Material

The persistent rise in energy demand around the globe has prompt the ever-increasing interest in concrete incorporated with phase change materials (PCM). It is the first attempt to utilize oil palm kernel shell (OPKS), a dominant waste product of Malaysia as the PCM’s carrier. This research focuses on the development of composite PCM and evaluates their effects on the mechanical and thermal properties of concrete. Laboratory-scale experiments and numerical simulations are employed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed PCM-concrete in term of thermoregulation. Ultimately, the research outcomes reveal a potential venture for OPKS industry in thermal energy storage intention.