Life cycle assessment (LCA) of phase change materials (PCMs): A mini-review on building applications

The world is facing many environmental problems due to pollution caused by energy production. To prevent further damage, new materials and methods must be used to reduce energy consumption in the world. Due to the consumption of ۴۰% of energy in buildings, their energy management is very important. Phase change materials (PCMs) as substances that have the ability to reduce energy consumption are very promising. The environmental impacts of phase change materials embedded in buildings are a widely studied field of study, typically assessed using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. LCA is the most effective approach to environmental impact analysis. The life cycle assessment of a PCM material include: the energy required to produce the raw materials, materials transportation, and dispose of the waste materials. This review summarizes the LCA literature for PCMs. Examining the articles, it was found that the use of PCM can reduce environmental damage by up to ۳۵%.