Experimental study of airflow characteristics of stratum ventilation in a multi‐occupant room with comparison to mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation

The motivation of this study is stimulated by a lack of knowledge about the difference of airflow characteristics between a novel air distribution method [i.e., stratum ventilation (SV)] and conventional air distribution methods [i.e., mixing ventilation (MV) and displacement ventilation (DV)]. Detailed air velocity and temperature measurements were conducted in the occupied zone of a classroom with dimensions of 8.8 m (L) × 6.1 m (W) × 2.4 m (H). Turbulence intensity and power spectrum of velocity fluctuation were calculated using the measured data. Thermal comfort and cooling efficiency were also compared. The results show that in the occupied zone, the airflow characteristics among MV, DV, and SV are different. The turbulent airflow fluctuation is enhanced in this classroom with multiple thermal manikins due to thermal buoyancy and airflow mixing effect. Thermal comfort evaluations indicate that in comparison with MV and DV, a higher supply air temperature should be adopted for SV to achieve general thermal comfort with low draft risk. Comparison of the mean air temperatures in the occupied zone reveals that SV is of highest cooling efficiency, followed by DV and then MV.     

温湿度独立控制空调系统及其性能分析

本文给出了热湿独立控制空调系统的运行策略：采用新风去除室内的余湿、承担室内空气质量的任务,采用高温冷源去除室内的余热。分析了温湿度独立控制空调方式对室内末端装置、新风处理、制备高温冷源的要求与影响,结合我国各地区的不同气候条件特点,详细分析了上述关键部件的性能。     

CFD study of exhaled droplet transmission between occupants under different ventilation strategies in a typical office room

This paper investigated the transmission of respiratory droplets between two seated occupants equipped with one type of personalized ventilation (PV) device using round movable panel (RMP) in an office room. The office was ventilated by three different total volume (TV) ventilation strategies, i.e. mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD) system respectively as background ventilation methods. Concentrations of particles with aerodynamic diameters of 0.8 μm, 5 μm, and 16 μm as well as tracer gas were numerically studied in the Eulerian frame. Two indexes, i.e. intake fraction (IF) and concentration uniformity index R_C were introduced to evaluate the performance of ventilation systems. It was found that without PV, DV performed best concern protecting the exposed manikin from the pollutants exhaled by the polluting manikin. In MV when the exposed manikin opened RMP the inhaled air quality could always be improved. In DV and UFAD application of RMP might sometimes, depending on the personalized airflow rate, increase the exposure of the others to the exhaled droplets of tracer gas, 0.8 μm particles, and 5 μm particles from the infected occupants. Application of PV could reduce R_C for all the three TV systems of 0.8 μm and 5 μm particles. PV enhanced mixing degree of particles under DV and UFAD based conditions much stronger than under MV based ones. PV could increase the average concentration in the occupied zone of the exposed manikin as well as provide clean personalized airflow. Whether inhaled air quality could be improved depended on the balance of pros and cons of PV.     

下送风空调技术原理及应用探讨

本文针对下送风空调的两种主要形式——置换通风和地板送风就其各自工作原理、室内空气分布特性、优点及存在问题等进行了分析比较,并对两种空调送风方式的适用性进行了分析,为合理设计和采用下送风技术提供参考。     

Optimization of indoor environmental quality and ventilation load in office space by multilevel coupling of building energy simulation and computational fluid dynamics

The fundamentals, implementation, and application of an integrated simulation as an approach for predicting the indoor environmental quality for an open-type office and for quantifying energy saving potential under optimized ventilation are presented in this paper. An integrated simulation procedure based on a building energy simulation and computational fluid dynamics, incorporated with a conceptual model of a CO₂ demand controlled ventilation (DCV) system and proportional integral control of an air conditioning system as the optimization assessment of conceptual model in the occupied zone, was developed. This numerical model quantitatively exhibits energy conservation and represents the non-uniform distribution patterns of airflow properties and CO₂ concentration levels in terms of energy recovery and indoor thermal comfort. By means of an integrated simulation, the long-term energy consumption of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are predicted precisely and dynamically. Relative to a ventilation system with a basic constant air volume supply rate characterized by a fixed outdoor air intake rate from the ceiling supply opening, the optimized CO₂-DCV system coupled with energy recovery ventilators reduced total energy consumption by 29.1% (in summer conditions) and 40.9% (winter).     

Comparison of annual energy performances with different ventilation methods for temperature and humidity control

Stratum ventilation has been proposed to accommodate elevated indoor temperatures recommended by governments in East Asia. TRNSYS is used for computation of the space cooling loads, sensible and latent, as well as system energy consumption. Typical configurations of an office, a classroom and a retail shop in Hong Kong are investigated. Desiccant dehumidification with and without solar assistance is utilized for the air treatment under displacement ventilation and stratum ventilation, while simple reheating is adopted under mixed ventilation. Compared with mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation, stratum ventilation derives its energy saving potential largely from the following five factors: the reduction in ventilation, dehumidification and transmission loads, prolonged free cooling period and increased the COP of the chillers. For the office, the year-round energy saving is found to be substantial at 20% and 40% without the need for solar energy provision when compared with displacement ventilation and mixing ventilation respectively. For the classroom and retail shop, the year-round energy saving is at about 25% and at least 37% with the aid of solar energy provision when compared with displacement ventilation and mixing ventilation respectively.     

Performance of combined displacement ventilation and cooled ceiling liquid desiccant membrane system in Beirut climate

The performance of the chilled ceiling (CC) displacement ventilation (DV) systems is constrained by latent load removal capacity and cost of supply air dehumidification to prevent condensation on the ceiling. In this study, a liquid desiccant dehumidification membrane cycle (LDMC) is mathematically modelled to replace the CC and remove directly latent and sensible load from indoor space through the membrane. The desiccant system is coupled with the DV system. An optimized operational strategy is adopted while allowing ceiling temperature to drop to lower values than conventional CC/DV. The optimized LDMC-C/DV system was implemented in an office space in Beirut climate. It was found that decreasing the membrane liquid desiccant temperature resulted in a significant decrease in the total cooling energy of the system, while increasing the solar heating energy of the desiccant regeneration. At optimal set points, a decrease of 49% in energy consumption was observed compared to the conventional CC/DV system.     

暖通空调低碳节能技术应用的案例分析

本文以某项目为例,探讨了在其空调系统中应用的低碳节能技术。从空调冷热源系统、变频调速、热回收、置换式通风、多元通风、可再生能源利用等方面,对其节能技术进行了具体的研究与分析。并对该项目的室内空气质量、能耗情况进行了分析,证明了其节能效果比较显著。     

Distribution of respiratory droplets in enclosed environments under different air distribution methods

The dispersion characteristics of respiratory droplets are important in controlling transmission of airborne diseases indoors. This study investigates the spatial concentration distribution and temporal evolution of exhaled and sneezed/coughed droplets within the range of 1.0 − 10.0μm in an office room with three air distribution methods, specifically mixing ventilation (MV), displacement ventilation (DV), and under-floor air distribution (UFAD). The diffusion, gravitational settling and deposition mechanism of particulate matter were accounted by using an Eulerian modeling approach with one-way coupling. The simulation results indicate that exhaled droplets up to 10μm in diameter from normal human respiration are uniformly distributed in MV. However, they become trapped in the breathing zone by thermal stratifications in DV and UFAD, resulting in a higher droplet concentration and an increased exposure risk to other room occupants. Sneezed/coughed droplets are more slowly diluted in DV/UFAD than in MV. Low air speed in the breathing zone in DV/UFAD can lead to prolonged human exposure to droplets in the breathing zone.     

Optimal supply air temperature with respect to energy use in a variable air volume system

In a variable air volume (VAV) system with 100% outdoor air, the cooling need in the building is satisfied with a certain air flow at a certain supply air temperature. To minimize the system energy use, an optimal supply air temperature can be set dependent on the load, specific fan power (SFP), chiller coefficient of performance, outdoor temperature and the outdoor relative humidity. The theory for an optimal supply air temperature is presented and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) energy use is calculated depending on supply air temperature control strategy, average U-value of the building envelope and two outdoor climates. The analyses show that controlling the supply air temperature optimally results in a significantly lower HVAC energy use than with a constant supply air temperature. The optimal average U-value of the building envelope is in practise mostly zero.     

地板辐射与置换通风空调系统运行参数

建立了基于EnergyPlus的地板辐射供冷加置换通风空调系统模型,模拟得到的室内温度和辐射地板所承担冷量与实验结果的误差小于±7%。在此模型基础上,改变送风参数和供水参数,得到置换通风供冷量、辐射地板供冷量、地板表面温度、室内空气平均温度、AUST温度等参数的变化规律。结合热舒适性模型,得到满足室内热舒适性(-0.5≤PMV≤0.5)条件下,置换通风的送风参数和辐射地板的供水参数范围,为复合系统设计和应用提供依据。     

CFD study on effect of the air supply location on the performance of the displacement ventilation system

The purpose of this paper is to investigate using a numerical simulation (computational fluid dynamics or CFD) the effect of the air supply location on the design and performance of the displacement ventilation (DV) system. The results are reported in terms of thermal comfort and indoor air quality. The study focuses on the typical Hong Kong office under local thermal and boundary conditions. This includes the high cooling load used in Hong Kong. Several pollutants typically found in the office such as carbon dioxide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were investigated. The results indicate that the supply should be located near the center of the room rather than to one side of the room. This will provide a more uniform thermal condition in the office. The DV system was found to be effective in dispersing VOCs within an office environment for all cases studied. The exhaust was found to have minimal effect on the thermal comfort. For a DV system in Hong Kong, it is possible to use 100% fresh air without extra energy consumption.     

CFD analysis of ventilation effectiveness in a public transport interchange

A study was conducted into the ventilation effectiveness of a ventilation system within a public transport interchange (PTI) in Hong Kong. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD), steady state computational model of the PTI was used to investigate and predict the typical pollutant emission pattern for buses. In Hong Kong, the displacement ventilation (DV) scheme is often employed for the PTI. The numerical simulation investigates the effectiveness of the DV system in removing pollutants from the occupied zone. An alternative model is proposed where the supply is located at the ceiling and the exhausts are located at the lower part of the columns. It was found that both systems could adequately ventilate the PTI; however, the ceiling based air supply system is able to provide improved thermal comfort and indoor air quality (IAQ).     

江阴市某商业综合楼太阳能空调热水系统设计

给出了江阴市某商业综合楼太阳能吸收式空调的设计及计算方法,详细地阐述了该吸收式空调系统的运行原理、负荷计算、空气处理过程、太阳能集热器的设计计算和布置方式、空调系统冷热源的选择、冷水机组的选型及依据等,并分析了连续阴雨天生活热水的保障问题以及储热、储冷水箱选择的依据,阐明了该系统运行的可行性,并通过满负荷计算的方法比较了改造前传统空调系统的耗电量与改造后太阳能吸收式空调系统的耗电量,得出太阳能吸收式空调节能约42%,太阳能吸收式空调具有一定的发展前景。     

Advancement of solar desiccant cooling system for building use in subtropical Hong Kong

The solar desiccant cooling system (SDCS) had a saving potential of the year-round primary energy consumption as compared to the conventional air-conditioning system for full fresh air application in the subtropical Hong Kong. In order to further enhance its energy efficiency, advancement of the basic SDCS was carried out through a strategy of hybrid design. Six hybrid system alternatives of SDCS were therefore proposed, three for full fresh air design while another three for return air design for the building zone. Year-round performance evaluation of each solar hybrid desiccant cooling system was conducted for typical office application under different climatic and loading conditions. All the six hybrid system alternatives were found technically feasible, with up to 35.2% saving of year-round primary energy consumption against the conventional air-conditioning systems. Among the hybrid alternatives, recommendations were made on the SDCS hybridized with vapour compression refrigeration for full fresh air design; and the SDCS hybridized with vapour absorption refrigeration for return air design, since they had the saving potentials of both primary energy and initial cost. These two hybrid system alternatives used evacuated tubes, a more economical type of solar collectors compared to the PV or PVT panels.     

Numerical simulation and performance assessment of an absorption solar air-conditioning system coupled with an office building

To minimize environmental impact and CO₂ production associated with air-conditioning, it is reasonable to evaluate the prospects of a clean energy source. Solar energy, via thermal collectors can provide a part of the heating needs. Moreover, it can drive absorption chiller in order to satisfy the cooling needs of buildings. The objective of the work is to evaluate accurately the energy consumption of an air-conditioning system including a solar driven absorption chiller. The complete simulation environment includes the absorption chiller itself, the cooling tower, the solar collectors field, heater, storage devices, pumps, heating-cooling distribution, emission system and building. A decrease of primary energy consumption of 22% for heating and cooling is reached when using a solar air-conditioning system instead of classical heating and cooling devices. The modelling of each subsystem is detailed. TRNSYS software modular approach provides the possibility to model and simulate this complete system.     

新型排风能量回收装置的分析与研究

作者从全铝制板翅式换热器与凝结水间接蒸发冷却联合应用的试验获得的结果出发，对该换热器应用于集中空调系统的能量回收做出了计算，并且进行较为详尽的分析，计算结果表明全新风空调系统使用该能量回收装置后，可以节省机组装机容量50％，节省运行费用一半；这对需要大量新风的厂房，医院的特殊病区等有很好的节能效果；而普通的舒适性空调系统，应用该能量回收装置后也可以节省装机容量20％；这表明在集中空调系统中应用全铝制板翅式换热器既能改善室内空气品质又能回收排风能量，是集中空调系统节能和人性化行之有效的措施：     

Returning characteristics of pollutants for a local domain in the presence of returning and recirculating airflow in indoor environments

Heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems usually supply air, which is a mixture of fresh air from the outdoor environment, and return air from rooms via the ventilation ductwork. This air reduces the heat load and cost impact of air conditioning using outdoor air. This recirculation of room air in air-conditioning systems is reasonable in terms of energy saving; however, the deterioration of air quality might be a concern because of the recirculation of contaminated room air. Here, we numerically investigate the effect of pollutant recirculation/return on the formation of concentration distributions of local pollutants in indoor environments when the mixing ratio of recirculated air in the HVAC system changes. We discuss the detailed structure of the formation mechanism of local pollutant concentration distributions using various indices for indoor ventilation efficiency in simplified room models. Among the indices, visitation frequency and net escape probability are the ones that directly assist in evaluating the recirculation/return characteristics of indoor pollutants. As a result, when the proportion of air that is recirculated becomes large, the number of pollutants returning to a target local domain, the visitation frequency, increases exponentially, and the net escape probability—which directly expresses the probability of pollutant discharged from the target domain—is close to zero.     

Co‐occupant's exposure to exhaled pollutants with two types of personalized ventilation strategies under mixing and displacement ventilation systems

Personalized ventilation (PV) system in conjunction with total ventilation system can provide cleaner inhaled air for the user. Concerns still exist about whether the normally protecting PV device, on the other hand, facilitates the dispersion of infectious agents generated by its user. In this article, two types of PV systems with upward supplied fresh air, namely a chair‐based PV and one kind of desk‐mounted PV systems, when combined with mixing ventilation (MV) and displacement ventilation (DV) systems, are investigated using simulation method with regard to their impacts on co‐occupant's exposure to the exhaled droplet nuclei generated by the infected PV user. Simulation results of tracer gas and particles with aerodynamic diameter of 1, 5, and 10 μm from exhaled air show that, when only the infected person uses a PV, the different PV air supplying directions present very different impacts on the co‐occupant's intake under DV, while no apparent differences can be observed under MV. The findings demonstrate that better inhaled air quality can always be achieved under DV when the adopted PV system can deliver conditioned fresh air in the same direction with the mainly upward airflow patterns of DV.     

Chilled ceiling displacement ventilation design charts correlations to employ in optimized system operation for feasible load ranges

This paper expands Ghaddar et al. [N. Ghaddar, K. Ghali, R. Saadeh, A. Keblawi, Design charts for combined chilled ceiling displacement ventilation system (1438-RP), ASHRAE Transactions, 143 (2) (2008) 574-587] design charts of combined chilled ceiling (CC) displacement ventilation (DV) system to operating sensible load ranges from 40 W/m² to 100 W/m². It develops a global correlation of system load and operational parameters, with comfort measured by vertical temperature gradient and indoor air quality measured by the stratification height. The correlations are used for a known transient load profile in generating optimal settings of the CC/DV system operational parameters and associated energy consumption.An example is illustrated to show how the correlation could be used to size the system and to provide optimized control of the CC/DV system operation at low computational cost. Results of the current model are compared to the published case study of an optimized operation based on transient simulations of the space thermal model to achieve minimum operation cost [M. Mossolly, N. Ghaddar, K. Ghali, L. Jensen, Optimized operation of combined chilled ceiling displacement ventilation system using genetic algorithm, ASHRAE Transactions, 143 (2) (2008) 541-554]. The design correlations resulted in good agreement with published data (within 3% error in energy consumption and average 6% error in predictions of comfort and stratification height) at 1/4 of the computational time. The presented methodology provides an alternative for using the correlation for supervisory online controllers for the CC/DV system based on physically derived correlations.