Setpoint control for air heating in a church to minimize moisture related mechanical stress in wooden interior parts

The paper presents the setpoint control for air heating in a church to minimize moisture related mechanical stress in wooden interior parts, with the focus on the preservation of a monumental organ. The setpoint operation of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is evaluated by simulation using MatLab, COMSOL and Simulink models. The main model components are presented and combined in a single integrated Simulink model: (1) a HAMBase Simulink building model for simulating the indoor temperature and relative humidity, (2) a COMSOL partial differential equation model for simulating detailed dynamic moisture transport and related mechanical stresses in the monumental wood (organ) and (3) a Simulink controller model. The main advantage of the integrated model is that it directly simulates the impact of HVAC control setpoint strategies on the indoor climate and the related mechanical stresses in wooden objects, like a monumental organ. As control strategy the limited indoor air temperature changing rate is discussed. Recommendations from international literature suggest that a limitation of the relative humidity changing rate of 2 to 5RH%/h will preserve the interior of churches. This study shows that a limitation of indoor air relative humidity changing rate of 2RH%/h can reduce mechanical stresses by a factor of 2.5, compared to maximum capacity heating.     

新建节能建筑墙体材料层及排布对干燥过程的影响

建筑围护结构内的热湿耦合传递是一个非常复杂的过程,其研究是降低建筑能耗、评估和预防湿害、提高室内热舒适性、室内卫生及优化围护结构性能的基础。新建节能建筑墙体具有初始含湿量大的特点,若墙体湿积累过大,则容易出现墙体表面剥蚀、渗漏、发霉甚至结构出现损坏的现象。墙体干燥时,传热传质过程同时发生且相互耦合。目前相关热物性仿真软件、理论研究和设计规范主要建立在热传递的基础上,忽略了湿传递的影响,对新建建筑墙体干燥不适用。WUFI~? Pro热湿仿真软件充分考虑了材料本身含湿量、风驱雨、太阳辐射、长波辐射、毛细传输和夏季结露等典型气候的影响,实现了对自然气候条件下建筑构件非稳态热湿性能的真实计算。节能墙体多在外墙添加内外保温层来增加围护结构的传热热阻,且在保温层内外两侧分别添加隔汽层和空气层的措施来防止保温层受潮,最终提高围护结构的保温性能。为墙体美观,多在围护结构的内外两侧分别黏贴墙纸和釉面砖。采用WUFI~? Pro对北京地区2种典型的建筑墙体进行热湿耦合传递模拟,分析新建建筑墙体在不同保温层材料和位置时的干燥过程,以及保温层两侧的隔汽层和空气层、墙体两侧的墙纸和釉面砖对墙体干燥过程的影响。模拟用室外条件为北京典型气象年小时室外气象参数,室内条件设定室内冬季供暖温度T_1=20℃,夏季室内温度设计值T_2=25℃,全年平均相对湿度为50%。模拟外围护结构属于西向,墙体温湿度初始条件为:相对湿度为100%,温度为15℃。模拟结果表明:内保温层的设置非常不利于围护结构的干燥,容易在内保温层和砌块之形成湿积累,降低围护结构的耐久性;EPS、PU和XPS都能降低围护结构含湿量,但EPS更有利于墙体干燥;隔汽层和空气层的添加可一定程度上阻止保温层受潮,避免造成湿积累,进而提高围护结构的保温性能;釉面砖和墙纸的黏贴将严重延缓围护结构的干燥过程,降低围护结构的保温性能,缩减建筑构件的使用寿命。     

Evidence of inadequate ventilation in portable classrooms: results of a pilot study in Los Angeles County

The prevalence of prefabricated, portable classrooms (portables) for United States public schools has increased; in California, approximately one of three students learn inside portables. Limited research has been conducted on indoor air and environmental quality in American schools, and almost none in portables. Available reports and conference proceedings suggest problems from insufficient ventilation due to poor design, operation, and/or maintenance of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems; most portables have one mechanical, wall-mounted HVAC system. A pilot assessment was conducted in Los Angeles County, including measurements of integrated ventilation rates based on a perfluorocarbon tracer gas technique and continuous monitoring of temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH). Measured ventilation rates were low [mean school day integrated average 0.8 per hour (range: 0.1-2.9 per hour)]. Compared with relevant standards, results suggested adequate ventilation and associated conditioning of indoor air for occupant comfort were not always provided to these classrooms. Future school studies should include integrated and continuous measurements of T, RH, and ventilation with appropriate tracer gas methods, and other airflow measures. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Adequate ventilation has the potential to mitigate concentrations of chemical pollutants, particles, carbon dioxide, and odors in portable and traditional classrooms, which should lead to a reduction in reported health outcomes, e.g., symptoms of 'sick building syndrome', allergies, asthma. Investigations of school indoor air and environmental quality should include continuous temperature and relative humidity data with inexpensive instrumentation as indicators of thermal comfort, and techniques to measure ventilation rates.     

Defects and moisture problems in buildings from historical city centres: a case study in Portugal

Conservation of ancient buildings is a major issue for modern societies, both from economical and cultural viewpoints. Information about the ancient built heritage is vital to plan adequate remedial measures. Taking a historic centre in Portugal as a case study, this paper presents an extensive survey of building typology and materials, damage in the building envelope, indoor survey of damage, and measurements in indoor air temperature and relative humidity. Water-related problems can be confirmed as the single most important defect combined with inadequate sun exposure, ventilation and heating, and excessive moisture indoor production. Extremely low temperatures, high humidity and presence of mould therefore, compromise the indoor quality of life of the inhabitants; and make urgent repair at many levels necessary.     

Modeling the effect of hygroscopic curtains on relative humidity for spaces air conditioned by DX split air conditioning system

The use of hygroscopic materials for moisture buffering is a passive way to moderate the variation of indoor humidity. Through absorption and desorption, surface materials in the indoor environment, such as curtains, carpets and wall paper, are able to dampen the moisture variations. The moisture buffering capacity of these materials may be used to improve the relative humidity of the indoor environment at reduced energy costs.The objectives of this paper are threefold. The first objective is to derive a theoretical model for the transient moisture transfer between a curtain system and the indoor air for the case where the curtain is placed in front of a wall. The second objective is to conduct experiments inside environmental chambers to validate the theoretical model and to test the ability of curtains to moderate indoor humidity. It is shown that the experimental results for the curtain moisture uptake and the relative humidity inside the chamber compared well with the model simulation results. The third and final objective is to test and evaluate the model under “real environment conditions” for a case study of a hygroscopic cotton curtain, placed in a “typical” office space in the city of Beirut with an area of 25 m² that uses direct expansion (DX) air conditioning system. It is found that hygroscopic curtains maintain humidity of less than 65% during part load operation compared to the upper limit of 70% relative humidity when no curtain is used. On the other hand, it is found that the energy use, as determined by the daily electrical power consumption of the DX system, is almost the same for the two cases, (with and without a curtain), where approximately 20 kWh of energy input is required 13 kWh of sensible energy and 7 kWh of latent energy.     

Optimization of air-conditioning system operating strategies for hot and humid climates

This paper describes research into the optimal operation of building heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems focusing on both temperature and humidity control. While most previous work on HVAC optimization has been limited to evaluation of conventional temperature-based control systems, this study emphasizes the humidity control issue in meeting both sensible and latent building loads. The analysis is based on a combination of a realistic simulation of a direct expansion (DX) air-conditioning system and a direct-search numerical optimization technique. The simulation models have been validated through comparisons with field data. Optimization was performed on five different system control variables to minimize system power consumption while meeting building loads and maintaining comfort. Indoor temperature and humidity are also optimized within standard comfort constraints. Building loads were modeled using an extended bin method that allows consideration of the interactions between loads and indoor conditions. Results indicate that minimum energy use typically occurs at low airflow rates, with indoor humidity levels below the upper comfort limit. Results also show that coil air bypass and evaporator circuiting control are typically not necessary unless operation would otherwise result in overcooling. The optimization results also translate to relatively simple strategies for system control. Significant savings are demonstrated over conventional control strategies used in packaged DX equipment.     

Influence of connectivity of concrete pores and associated diffusion of oxygen on corrosion of steel under high humidity

This paper investigates the limitation of oxygen diffusion under high relative humidity condition in comparison to submerged, alternate wetting–drying and air dry conditions and its influence on the corrosion rate of steel by blocking the pores of concrete with moisture and reducing the connectivity required for transfer of gaseous oxygen from the environment to the steel bar surface. This was achieved through multi-variable experimentation for which the previous research is limited and has difference of opinion. It is concluded from the observed trend in the case of high relative humidity and submerged condition that once concrete specimens are subjected to these conditions; there is a reactivation of curing and hydration process which leads to low porosity and connectivity of concrete pores making it harder for oxygen to diffuse. The findings are quantified in terms of practical field variables such as cover depth and water/cement ratio. This deep experimental investigation involving a variety of material and environmental variables under a wide spectrum of boundary conditions will help in better understanding and will open several significant future prospects of research in the modeling of corrosion under limited oxygen availability.     

Moisture balance assessment at room scale for four cases based on numerical simulations of heat–air–moisture transfers for a realistic occupancy scenario

The moisture balance at room scale is influenced by the air change rate, moisture production and vapour transfer with the envelope. However, results may differ strongly from one study to another depending on the sizing of the ventilation system, the boundary conditions and the modelling of vapour transfer in the walls. This paper aims to provide a realistic comparison of usual construction techniques based on energy consumption, indoor comfort and durability. To achieve this objective, an existing whole-building heat–air–moisture simulation tool was selected to compute coupled transfer at room scale over an entire year. Moisture production due to occupancy was modelled using a stochastic approach. Four cases were selected to emphasize the differences of both a vapour-permeable wall assembly and a relative humidity sensitive ventilation system compared to common practices.     

新建建筑围护结构热质传递对室内温湿度环境的影响

新建建筑第1年由于较大的内表面散湿量会影响室内的温湿度水平,严重的会引起围护结构内表面霉菌。为分析新建建筑第1年围护结构的湿传递对室内温湿度环境的影响,本文对哈尔滨地区新建建筑综合热质耦合传递进行了模拟,分别建立了围护结构和室内空气的质能平衡方程,并讨论了夏季不同的室内通风率对围护结构内表面散湿量及室内温湿度的影响,得出了几点重要结论。     

A new computer model for the simulation of particulate matter formation from heated cooking oils using Aspen Plus

A simulation model for heating different cooking oils including soybean, safflower, canola, olive, peanut and sunflower oils was developed using Aspen Plus. The simulation results showed that in contrast to indoor air temperature, increases in heating temperature and relative humidity, resulted in higher particulate matter (PM) mass emission rates and saturation ratio values. Olive oil showed the highest PM mass emission rate among all of the oils. Triolein was the dominant triglyceride in the PM emitted from all of the heated oils such that its high mass fraction in PM was influential in PM physical properties. Decamethylcyclo-pentasiloxane showed the highest mass fraction in PM compared to other volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Addition of the salt to the soybean oil reduced triglyceride masses in the PM. The emission rates of triolein, trigadolein and triarachidin were reduced by 45.64%, 47.13% and 48.30%, respectively. PM surface tension for all of the oils increased with indoor relative humidity, while viscosity decreased.     

不同制冷量空调器在住宅中应用的实测对比研究

通过实验测试对比了不同制冷量的定速房间空调器用于住宅卧室中时的室内温湿环境状况和空调器的耗电量情况。实验结果表明,当空调器容量过大时,空调器的除湿能力下降,室内相对湿度偏高,空调器耗电量大,实验日条件下,使用1.5 HP空调器时的室内相对湿度比使用1 HP空调器的室内相对湿度高5%,而1 HP空调器耗电量比1.5 HP空调器减少12.7%。     

Experimental and numerical study on indoor temperature and humidity with free water surface

Free water surface may generate excessive moisture and heat and have adverse effects on indoor environment and energy loss. A series of experiments have been carried out to study the characteristics of indoor temperature and moisture distributions using a free water surface within a test chamber. Some parameters such as air change rates, surrounding air temperature and humidity, water temperature and water surface area, were chosen to find their influences on simultaneous moisture and heat transfer. In addition, a new method for determining the simultaneous heat and mass transfer rates from free water surface is developed. Using this method with connection of CFD simulations, the moisture-related problems due to free water surface can be predicted precisely.     

Increasing the indoor humidity levels in buildings with ventilation systems: Simulation aided design in case of passive houses

In modern societies, people spend about 90 percent of their time inside buildings. The challenge of building physics is to ensure that buildings are planned, constructed and built to provide a comfortable and healthy working and living environment. As construction style has changed during recent years, the planning phase has to be much more precise and the need of simulation programs that respond to every little change arises. An increasing problem in Austria is the indoor humidity. In the field of renovated buildings with airtight new building envelopes, mould growth due to high indoor relative humidity (RH) is a persistent problem. On the other hand, in recently realized Austrian passive houses with an air treatment system, the low humidity level of the indoor air is a problem with which scientists have been struggling for some time. It has been observed in numerous measurements and it is also easily computationally detectable that in winter period the indoor relative humidity level often drops below 30% RH. Low and high relative humidity levels have negative effects on the comfort feeling and health of the occupants of the dwelling and should therefore be avoided. However, it is expensive to increase or decrease the humidity in houses mechanically. Therefore, the existing room moisture should be used sensibly in buildings with a ventilation system. In buildings with a high indoor humidity it is necessary to adjust the ventilation depended on moisture production. This paper focuses on low indoor humidity and presents some different methods by which the indoor relative humidity can be regulated. The effects of adapting parameters such as ventilation rate and buffering material in the dwelling were clearly reflected in the measured temperature and relative humidity. “BuildOpt_VIE” software developed at the Vienna University of Technology was used for the dynamic building simulation in this study.     

Analysis of indoor environmental conditions and heat pump energy supply systems in indoor swimming pools

For indoor swimming pools, a lot of energy is needed to control the indoor temperature, relative humidity and pool water temperature. Meanwhile, the indoor air contains a high specific enthalpy due to water evaporation. A new heat pump dehumidifier is studied to reduce energy consumption. The most significant feature of this system is that it can not only recover the latent heat from indoor moist air, but also absorb heat from outdoor air to heat the indoor air and pool water. First, indoor environmental conditions, including space parameters and pool temperature, are analyzed based on human thermal comfort and energy saving. Subsequently, the models of heat and moisture gain are built. After that, the construction and operating modes of the heat pump dehumidifier are described, and the system model is established based on polynomial equations model. In a case study, an indoor swimming pool with a heat pump dehumidifier in Shanghai is studied. When outdoor air specific enthalpy is higher than 18.6 kJ/kg, the requirement of pool water heating can be met only by the heat pump dehumidifier, thus, auxiliary pool heater will not to be put into use. At last, economic analysis between the heat pump dehumidifier and conventional dehumidifier is conducted.     

Experimental study on a residential temperature-humidity separate control air-conditioner

According to the temperature and moisture characteristics and current problems experienced in the Yangtze River Area, a temperature-humidity separate control air conditioner was developed. This unit can remove indoor sensible heat and latent heat load separately, and adjust indoor temperature and humidity respectively, thus improve indoor comfort and reduce energy consumption. The air-conditioner consists of an air cooling evaporator and a water cooling evaporator. Orthogonal experiments were designed to study the influence of outdoor temperature, indoor temperature, indoor humidity, compressor frequency, and refrigerant distribution ratio in air cooling evaporator (RDRAE) on the unit performance. The results showed that the dehumidification capacity ranged from 0 to 4.02 kg/h; the EER ranged from 2.71 to 4.57; the cooling capacity ranged from 6822 to 13,080 W. The results can help to make the control logic of the unit, and be used as the basis of energy consumption calculation. Units with temperature and humidity separate control could save about 15.6% of the cooling energy consumption against traditional residential air-conditioner, and 47.8% against the traditional residential air-conditioner that could control both indoor temperature and humidity.     

The effect of structures on indoor humidity--possibility to improve comfort and perceived air quality

The research presented in this paper shows that moisture transfer between indoor air and hygroscopic building structures can generally improve indoor humidity conditions. This is important because the literature shows that indoor humidity has a significant effect on occupant comfort, perceived air quality (PAQ), occupant health, building durability, material emissions, and energy consumption. Therefore, it appears possible to improve the quality of life of occupants when appropriately applying hygroscopic wood-based materials. The paper concentrates on the numerical investigation of a bedroom in a wooden building located in four European countries (Finland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy). The results show that moisture transfer between indoor air and the hygroscopic structure significantly reduces the peak indoor humidity. Based on correlations from the literature, which quantify the effect of temperature and humidity on comfort and PAQ for sedentary adults, hygroscopic structures can improve indoor comfort and air quality. In all the investigated climates, it is possible to improve the indoor conditions such that, as many as 10 more people of 100 are satisfied with the thermal comfort conditions (warm respiratory comfort) at the end of occupation. Similarly, the percent dissatisfied with PAQ can be 25% lower in the morning when permeable and hygroscopic structures are applied.     

大输液车间净化空调设计

指出系统设计风量应是根据热湿负荷和洁净度分别计算的风量中的大值。分析了可用于局部百级房间的两种系统的优劣。介绍了系统相对湿度的控制方法。     

空调大温差研究(3):空调送风大温差经济分析

对采用空调大温差的办公楼、工厂及商场分别进行经济比较,结果表明在各种条件下,增大送同温差,空调系统的一次投资和运行费用都可以减少,同时室内相对湿度的降低可以明显提高人体舒适感,改善室内空气品质。     

Experimental investigation of a novel desiccant cooling system

Desiccant based air conditioning systems are a suitable way to improve indoor air quality due to its superior humidity control. In this study, a novel desiccant based air conditioning system is designed and tested experimentally to improve the indoor air quality and reduce energy consumption. In the system studied, a heat exchanger, which is not used in this type of systems, for pre-heating the regeneration air with exhaust air is used. This paper reports results of initial operation and operational procedures. The performance of the system and its components is discussed.