Evaluation and analysis of the performances of a waterflow glazed component

In a historical period in which attention is increasingly paid to the rational use of resources and energy, new technologies are being developed for the building envelope, to combine high energy performance with good levels of environmental comfort. Among these there are the water flow window, which are multi-glazing system with a water flowing layer. In this thesis the performance of an insulated glazing unit (IGU), consisting of a triple-glazing window with a layer of parallel micro fluid-flowed channels (Micro-Fluidic Glass), is explored. The analysis was conducted on an experimental model, a three-dimensional finite element model and a numerical model. The presence of water flowing in the channels is effective in lowering the glazing surface temperatures, consequently in lowering the incoming and outgoing heat flow due to the temperature gradient between outdoor and indoor environment. Moreover, the use of the window as a thermal collector indicates a relatively low temperature difference between the inlet and outlet of the fluid, however compatible with a PCM heat storage.