Chilled ceiling and displacement ventilation system for energy savings: A case study

2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (8) ◽  
pp. 743-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Ghali ◽  
N. Ghaddar ◽  
M. Ayoub
Author(s):  
Lee Chusak ◽  
Andrew Harris ◽  
Ramesh Agarwal

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software, three different cooling systems used in contemporary office environments are modeled to compare energy consumption and thermal comfort levels. Incorporating convection and radiation technologies, full-scale models of an office room compare arrangements for (a) an all-air overhead system (mixing ventilation), (b) an all-air raised floor system (displacement ventilation), and (c) a combined air and hydronic radiant system (displacement ventilation with a chilled ceiling). The computational domain for each model consists of one isothermal wall (simulating an exterior wall of the room) and adiabatic conditions for the remaining walls, floor, and ceiling (simulating interior walls of the room). Two sets of computations were conducted. The first set of computations utilized a constant temperature isothermal exterior wall, while the second set utilized an isothermal wall that changed temperatures as a function of time simulating the temperature changes on the exterior wall of a building throughout a 24 hour period. Results show superior thermal comfort levels as well as substantial energy savings can be accrued using the displacement ventilation, especially the displacement ventilation with a chilled ceiling over the conventional mixing ventilation system.


Author(s):  
Stillman Jordan ◽  
Randall D. Manteufel

An optimal air distribution design accomplishes both comfort and ventilation requirements while consuming as little energy as possible. This paper analyzes four different air distribution systems and technologies including single duct variable air volume air handlers, chilled beam cooling systems, total energy recovery wheels, displacement ventilation, and dedicated outside air systems; in an effort to determine the best air distribution system for a representative section of a school in hot and humid climate. The effectiveness of the air distribution systems is evaluated by analyzing how the different technologies take advantage of the natural convective properties of air to create a comfortable environment for the occupied region of the space. Distribution effectiveness and energy consumption must be weighed against considerations such as system complexity and ease of operation. This paper compares several alternative air distribution systems to a baseline single inlet VAV system that is commonly used in new schools designed today. Calculations show that the total energy recovery wheels result in a 16% energy savings over the baseline air distribution system because of the large amount of outside air required in school buildings. Chilled beams are not well suited for schools because of the large amount of outside air required by the space and the sophisticated design and operation needed to prevent condensation from occurring at the chilled beam. The results show that the air distribution system that consumes the least amount of energy is a displacement ventilation system. The system also inherently promotes better indoor air quality as it allows air to naturally rise out and return out of the space with minimal mixing of contaminates that may be recirculated within the room for others to breath. The displacement ventilation system’s overall energy savings of 20% over the baseline is mainly attributed to its total energy recovery wheel and the system’s ability to drastically reduce the cooling load seen by the air cooled chiller by effectively ventilating spaces using less outside air.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 783-792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Alongi ◽  
Adriana Angelotti ◽  
Livio Mazzarella

Breathing Walls are building structures based on porous materials crossed by an airflow, which act both as building envelopes and ventilation system components. In climates where both heating and cooling are needed, a pro-flux configuration (heat and air mass both flowing in the same direction) might be alternated with a contra-flux configuration (heat and air mass flowing in opposite directions) during the year or even on a day. Understanding and modelling the Breathing Walls' stationary and dynamic behaviour is thus fundamental, in order to optimize their design and to fully exploit their energy-saving potential. In this experimental study, a small-scale no-fines concrete Breathing Wall was investigated. The steady-state contra-flux tests performed in a Dual Air-Vented Thermal Box laboratory apparatus were used to derive the heat recovery efficiency of the sample as a function of the cross airflow velocity. The effectiveness of this technology was then evaluated in a virtual case study. An optimal airflow velocity across the Breathing Wall was found, leading to energy savings between 9% and 14%. Dynamic tests were performed assuming a sinusoidal variation of the operative temperature on one side of the sample. They showed how airflow velocity affected the Breathing Wall inertia and dynamic behaviour.


Author(s):  
Douaa Al Assad ◽  
Kamel Ghali ◽  
Nesreen Ghaddar ◽  
Elvire Katramiz

Abstract The aim of this work is to evaluate the performance of an intermittent personalized ventilation (IPV) system assisting a displacement ventilation (DV) system to improve thermal comfort and save energy. This will be conducted by developing a transient 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of an occupied office space equipped with systems. The occupant is modeled by a heated thermal manikin replicating the human body. The CFD model is coupled with a transient bio-heat model to compute segmental skin temperatures and their rate of change. The latter are taken as input into Zhang’s comfort model to predict and overall thermal comfort. The model was used to conduct a case study, where the overall thermal comfort and energy savings will be assessed for the IPV + DV These results will be compared with those of steady personalized ventilation (PV) + DV and standalone DV systems. By varying the IPV frequency in the typical indoor range of [0.3 Hz – 1 Hz], it was found that the IPV + DV system was able to enhance comfort compared to steady PV + DV and a standalone DV. In addition, an energy analysis was conducted and it was shown that the IPV was able to achieve considerable energy savings compared to a steady PV + DV at the same thermal comfort level. Moreover, relaxing the DV supply temperature to higher occupied zone temperatures, can provide additional energy savings while still maintaining comfort levels in the space.


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