Phase Change Materials for Passive Cooling of Sahelian Buildings: Integration Options and a Screening Assessment for Niger

This project gives a step‑by‑step way to pick and use phase‑change materials (PCMs) in building walls in hot, dry Sahelian areas, especially Niger. Because many people there have little electricity, passive cooling is essential for comfort. We compare three PCMs—a paraffin, a hydrated salt, and a water‑urea eutectic—using both techno‑economic and environmental screens. We look at ten criteria, split evenly between techno‑economic performance and environmental impact. **Techno‑economic criteria** – cost‑effectiveness – durability – ease of maintenance – local availability – thermal stability **Environmental criteria** – embodied energy – carbon footprint – biodegradability – recyclability – environmental risk An annualized areal cost is calculated from unit price, expected service life, and

the amount needed per square meter. The work also guides research and helps model how these PCMs behave thermally in building envelopes. Students can use multi‑criteria decision‑making (MCDM) and transient thermal simulations to find the best passive‑cooling setup for sustainable Sahelian architecture.

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