scholarly journals Personal Climatization Systems—A Review on Existing and Upcoming Concepts

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Warthmann ◽  
Daniel Wölki ◽  
Henning Metzmacher ◽  
Christoph van Treeck
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Environmental Control ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Sensor Data ◽  
Thermal Actuators

To accomplish the current climate goals of the federal republic of Germany, energy efficiency within the building and automotive sector must improve considerably. One possible way to reduce the high amount of energy required for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) is the introduction of personal climatization systems in combination with the extension of the standardized room air temperature range. Personal systems allow improvements of climatic conditions (heating, cooling, and air quality) within sub-areas of the room instead of conditioning an entire room air volume. In this regard, personal systems are perfectly suitable for locations with local air-conditioning focal points, such as open-plan offices and vehicle cabins, where they substantially improve the energy efficiency of the entire system. This work aims to summarize previously conducted research in the area of personal climatization systems. The investigated local thermal actuators comprise fans for the generation of air movement, ventilators for the improvement of the air quality within the respiratory area of persons, water-conditioned panels for the climatization of persons via longwave radiation and conduction, radiant heaters, and combinations of the systems. Personal systems are superior to mixing ventilation regarding the improvement of the perceived air quality and thermal comfort. Furthermore, the introduced overview shows that personal climatization systems are generally more energy-efficient than conventional air-conditioning and facilitates the extension of the indoor air temperature corridor of the HVAC. Table fans and climatized seats are highly effective in connection with the improvement of personal thermal comfort. The performance of the overwhelming majority of applied personal environmental control systems is user-controlled or depends on a predefined load profile, which is generally defined person independent. Single studies reveal that effectively controlled automated systems have a similar thermal impact on a user’s thermal comfort as user-controlled ones. The implementation of an automated control system is feasible by using novel approaches such as the so-called human-centered closed loop control-platform (HCCLC-platform). The latter contains a central data server which allows asynchronous, bi-directional communication between multi-modal sensor data, user feedback systems, thermal actuators and numerical calculation models used to assess the individual thermal comfort of a person. This enables a continuous and holistic reflection of the thermal situation inside a room and the estimation of the corresponding impact on an individual’s thermal comfort. Considering the measured and simulated thermal state of a single person, the described system is capable of determining body-part-specific energy requirements that are needed to keep the overall thermal comfort level of an individual person on a high level.

Numerical study of different ceiling-mounted air distribution systems for a virtual classroom environment

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 1382-1396 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eusébio Z. E. Conceição ◽  
Cristina I. M. Santiago ◽  
Hazim B. Awbi
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Virtual Classroom ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Air Distribution ◽  
Air Supply ◽  
Distribution Index

This paper presents a comparative numerical study of different ceiling-mounted-localized air distribution systems placed above students in a virtual classroom in summer conditions. The influence of four different ceiling-mounted-localized air distribution systems, using vertical descendent jets, on the thermal comfort, local thermal discomfort, and air quality levels was numerically evaluated. The air distribution index, developed previously, was used for non-uniform environment. This index considers the thermal comfort level, air quality level, effectiveness for heat removal, and effectiveness for contaminant removal. Numerical simulations were conducted for a virtual classroom equipped with one of four different ceiling-mounted-localized air distribution systems and with 6 desks, 6 or 12 students, and 2 upper airflow outlets. Inlet air supply temperature of 20 and 24℃ and an outdoor air temperature of 28℃ were used. The simulation results show that the air supply system having a vertical air jet placed at 1.8 m above the floor level (Case III), and with an inlet area of 0.01 m2 and a supply air velocity of 3 m/s would represent the best option in comparison with other air supply methods. In general, the air distribution index value decreases with an increase in inlet air temperature and the number of occupants. The air distribution index values are highest for Case III representing a classroom with 6 or 12 occupants with an inlet air temperature of 20 or 24℃.

Requirements of Air-Conditioning Systems’ Developments in Hospitals and Critical Healthcare Facilities

Volume 3 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Essam E. Khalil ◽  
Ramiz Kameel
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Hvac Systems ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Healthcare Applications ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Intelligent Technique

The balance between thermal comfort and air quality in healthcare facilities to optimize the Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) is the main aim of this paper. The present paper will present this balance from the viewpoint of the air conditioning design. It was found that the design of the HVAC airside systems plays an important role for achieving the optimum air quality beside the optimum comfort level. This paper highlights the importance of the proper airside design on the IAQ. The present paper introduces some recommendations for airside designs to facilitate the development of optimum HVAC systems. This paper also stresses on the factors that improve the thermal comfort and air quality for the already existed systems (for maintenance procedure). To design an optimum HVAC airside system that provides comfort and air quality in the air-conditioned spaces with efficient energy consumption is a great challenge. The present paper defines the current status, future requirements, and expectations. Based on this analysis and the vast progress of computers and associated software, the artificial intelligent technique will be a competitor candidate to the experimental and numerical techniques. Finally, the researches that relate between the different designs of the HVAC systems and energy consumption should concern with the optimization of airside design as the expected target to enhance the indoor environment. The present paper reviews the results of recent advances that are concerned with the HVAC design engineering in the healthcare applications. The following requirements are necessary for Health and hygiene considerations: • Air movements are to be restricted in and between the various hospital departments (no cross movement). • Appropriate ventilation and filtration is used to dilute and reduce contamination in the form of odour, air-borne micro organisms, viruses, hazardous chemical and radioactive substances. • Temperature and relative humidity are to be regulated and attained for various medical areas. • Environmental compliance conditions should be maintained, accurately controlled and monitored.

Experimental investigations on the performance of solar powered cabin air ventilator

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 607-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sudhir Chitrapady Vishweshwara ◽  
Jalal Marhoon AL. Dhali
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Temperature Drop ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Cabin Temperature ◽  
Solar Powered ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems ◽  
Air Exchange

Sultanate of Oman witness a long summer with mostly clear blue skies and typically higher ambient temperatures as seen in other GCC countries. This type of environment warrants the use of high capacity and reliable air conditioning systems, both at resident buildings and vehicles. During summer, cars parked directly under the sun, experience a very high temperature rise inside its cabin in the range of near to 50 °C. This high cabin air temperature often causes thermal discomfort to passengers entering the parked car and also has a serious impact on the cars air-conditioning systems, as it takes longer time to bring back the thermal comfort inside the cabin. The studies also revealed that the high cabin temperature often causes health hazards to occupants, especially to infants. Current research paper, reports an experimental study carried out on a parked car, with instrumentation to identify the various the temperature zones inside the car cabin. This experiential study is aimed to improve the thermal comfort inside the cabin through solar powered cabin air ventilator for effective management of cabin air temperature. The study was carried on a chosen vehicle parked at a set direction and location exposed to day long sunlight at Muscat for considerable period of time. Firstly, the study identified the various temperature zones inside the car cabin and ventilation driven with a 10 Wp solar panel was developed to accomplish the required air exchange inside the cabin, along with continues instantaneous heat rejection through steady air exchange between inside and outside environment. A simple ventilator was developed by means of two fans which drove out the hot trapped air and a secondary fan to cool down the temperature inside the car by providing fresh air for limited time. The experimental investigation showed that the vehicle cabin temperature was typically 10 °C lower when ventilator was turned on. On a typical day on month of May, the cabin air temperatures was approximately 21 °C higher than the ambient air temperature, while with the developed ventilator the difference between the cabin and outside air temperature was reduced by 50% approximately. With the ventilator in operation, it was observed that time taken to reduce the cabin air temperature through vehicle air conditioning system to a satisfactory level was much quicker; typically it took less than the half of the time compared to those values tested without ventilator. Thus indicating, the power saving potential of the developed system as the desired level of thermal comfort can be achieved within the shorter period of time. The reduction in time taken to cool down the cabin temperature to the acceptable limits has direct two fold effects; firstly, the fuel consumption for cooling purpose is reduced and secondly, increased thermal comfort level inside the cars cabin. However, the temperature drop pattern was not similar all around the cabin, due to the varied level of cabin sunlight exposure. Temperature drop at the front of the car was lower than in middle and rear of the car. From the study it can be concluded that, with solar powered ventilator, the temperature inside the car was nearly 10 °C lesser compared to cabin without ventilator and it also helps in to bring back the thermal comfort inside the cabin nearly within half time vis-à-vis cabin without ventilation.

scholarly journals Thermal comfort analysis in office buildings with different air-conditioning systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Szabo ◽  
L. Kajtar
Keyword(s):  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentration ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Office Buildings ◽  
Ducted Fan ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems

It is a prime aim to ensure a suitable comfort level in case of office buildings. The productivity of office employees is directly influenced by the comfort. Thermal discomfort and poor indoor air quality deteriorate the intensity and quality of human work. We investigated the comfort in office buildings with on-site measurements during the summer season. The office buildings were operating with different HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning) systems: ducted fan-coil with suspended ceiling, installation, non-ducted fan-coil with floor-mounted installation, active chilled beam with fresh air supply. We evaluated the thermal comfort under PMV (Predicted Mean Vote), PPD (Predicted Percentage of Dissatisfied), the local discomfort based on DR (Draught Rate) and the IAQ (Indoor Air Quality) based on carbon dioxide concentration. The comfort measurements were evaluated. The measurements were evaluated with scientific research methods, comfort categories based on the requirements of CR 1752. The results of this comparison were presented in this article.

scholarly journals Assessing the duality of thermal performance and energy efficiency of residential buildings in hot arid climate of Laghouat, Algeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 143-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Darda Bencheikh ◽  
Madani Bederina
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Adaptive Thermal Comfort ◽  
The Difference ◽  
American Society

Abstract Thermal comfort is the main driver of buildings energy consumption; it has been classified by building occupants to be of greater importance compared with visual and acoustic comfort. To respond correctly and quickly to the increase in energy price and pollution, thermal regulations and comfort approaches have emerged. This paper compares the thermal performances and energy demand of a vernacular and a low-income modern dwelling using two major thermal comfort approaches (Givoni’s approach and adaptive thermal comfort recommended by The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers in ASHRAE standards 55-2010) and the energy professional’s method presented in the French Thermal Regulations RT2012. It shows the effectiveness of bioclimatic and passive strategies in reducing energy demand, increasing the thermal comfort level for the buildings, and therefore reducing greenhouse emissions. The results show that the vernacular house was comfortable during the warm day, which approved a 100% cooling energy efficiency (the thermal comfort has been achieved in a passive way), contrary to the contemporary dwelling, in which the use of air-conditioning modern systems was essential to meet the occupant needs in terms of thermal comfort. The difference between the houses’ energy performances was estimated, including a 39% reduction in energy demand.

A dynamic model for human thermal comfort for smart building applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 234 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-483
Author(s):  
Ghezlane Halhoul Merabet ◽  
Mohamed Essaaidi ◽  
Driss Benhaddou
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Air Conditioning ◽  
Research Work ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Indoor Environments ◽  
Air Conditioning System ◽  
Human Thermal Comfort ◽  
Local Quality ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Air Conditioning Systems

Thermal comfort is closely related to the evaluation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. It can be seen as the result of the perception of the occupants of a given environment, and it is the product of the interaction of a number of personal and environmental factors. Otherwise, comfort issues still do not play an important role in the daily operation of commercial buildings. However, in the workplace, local quality effects, in addition to the health, the productivity that has a significant impact on the performance of the activities. In this regard, researchers have conducted, for decades, investigations related to thermal comfort and indoor environments, which includes developing models and indices through experimentations to establish standards to evaluate comfort and factors and set-up parameters for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. However, to our best knowledge, most of the research work reported in the literature deals only with parameters that are not dynamically tracked. This work aims to propose a prototype for comfort measuring through a wireless sensor network and then presenting a model for thermal comfort prediction. The developed model can be used to set up a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to meet the expected comfort level. In particular, the obtained results show that there is a strong correlation between users’ comfort and variables such as age, gender, and body mass index as a function of height and weight.

scholarly journals Some flow patterns within ventilation strategy coupled to energy efficiency

2019 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 10902
Author(s):  
Souad Morsli ◽  
Rachid Bennacer ◽  
Mohammed El Ganaoui ◽  
Harry Ramenah ◽  
Alain Carmasol
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Natural Convection ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Indoor Air Quality ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Forced Flow ◽  
Cooling Power ◽  
Moderate Reynolds Number ◽  
Mixing Ability

Energy and buildings are increasingly becoming subjects for investigations, especially for the indoor air quality domain coupled to energy demand. The physics of fluids flowing inside enclosures bring basic models to understand and build better schemes. This paper is devoted to studying ventilation strategies in regards to Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency in floor refreshing houses. A room model is considered in a simplified level, as a cavity heated on the external sidewall and cooled on the bottom ground surface. The external air injector is at variable positions and interacting with the needed cooling power; the air quality (mixing ability) and thermal comfort are also studied. The cooling efficiency inside the considered volume and the average air temperature are analyzed for a given temperature difference characterizing the natural convection level (Rayleigh number, Ra = 106) and a horizontal ventilation (moderate Reynolds number Re = 102). An obtained complex flow structure indicates that the natural convection and the forced flow (ventilation) act directly on the resulting patterns, mixing ability, heat exchange which in a straight line affect the thermal comfort and in fine the energy cost (cooling requirement).

scholarly journals User Thermal Comfort in Historic Buildings: Evaluation of the Potential of Thermal Mass, Orientation, Evaporative Cooling and Ventilation

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (22) ◽  
pp. 9672
Author(s):  
Mamdooh Alwetaishi ◽  
Ashraf Balabel ◽  
Ahmed Abdelhafiz ◽  
Usama Issa ◽  
Ibrahim Sharaky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
High Altitude ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Thermal Performance ◽  
Indoor Air ◽  
Computer Modelling ◽  
Evaporative Cooling ◽  
Comfort Level ◽  
Thermal Mass ◽  
The Impact

The study investigated the level of thermal comfort in historical buildings located at a relatively high altitude in the Arabian Desert of Saudi Arabia. The study focused on the impact of the use of thermal mass and orientation on the level of thermal performance at Shubra and Boqri Palaces. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were used in this study, including a questionnaire interview with architecture experts living at the relatively high altitude of Taif city, to obtain data and information from local experts. The computer software TAS EDSL was used along with on-site equipment, such as thermal imaging cameras and data loggers, to observe the physical conditions of the building in terms of its thermal performance. The study revealed that the experts’ age and years of experience were important aspects while collecting data from them during the survey. The use of thermal mass had a slight impact on the indoor air temperature as well as the energy consumption, but it helped in providing thermal comfort. Use of ventilation can improve thermal comfort level. Evaporative cooling technique has a considerable impact on reducing indoor air temperature with 4 °C drop, improving the thermal comfort sensation level. The novelty of this work is that, it links the outcomes of qualitative results of experts with field monitoring as well as computer modelling. This can contribute as method to accurately collect data in similar case studies.

Possible Solutions for Ground Slabs of Energy Efficient Buildings

2014 ◽  
Vol 1041 ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Anna Sedláková ◽  
Pavol Majdlen ◽  
Ladislav Ťažký
Keyword(s):  
Energy Efficiency ◽  
Heat Flow ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Efficient ◽  
Direct Contact ◽  
Thermal State ◽  
Building Envelope ◽  
Heat Losses ◽  
Internal Environment ◽  
Energy Efficient Buildings

The building envelope is a barrier that separates the internal environment from the effects of weather. This barrier ought to facilitate the optimal comfort of the interior environment in winter as well as summer. It has been shown in practice that most building defects occur within the building envelope. This includes external walls, roofs and floors too, and is impartial to new or renovated buildings. Heat losses of buildings through external constructions – roof, external walls, ground slabs are not negligible. It is therefore important to pay more attention to these construction elements. Basementless buildings situated on the ground are in direct contact with the subgrade and its thermal state. An amount of heat primarily destined for the creation of thermal comfort in the interior escapes from the baseplate to the cooler subgrade. The outgoing heat represents heat losses, which unfavourably affect the overall energy efficiency of the building. The heat losses represent approximately 15 to 20 % of the overall heat losses of the building. This number is a clear antecedent for the need to isolate and minimalize heat flow from the building to the subgrade.

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