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The influence of different cooling techniques on thermal comfort and physiological responses.

Number: pap. 542

Author(s) : SCHELLEN L., LOOMANS M., VAN MARKEN LICHTENBELT W.

Summary

Thermal comfort is one of the main requirements for successful application of low energy/exergy (lowex) HVAC systems. The Annex 37 study revealed that an optimal energy/exergy use not always results in an increased comfort level. Application of lowex systems can result in local and/or global discomfort. In general, the combined effects of convective flows and radiant asymmetries play an important role in the assessment of thermal comfort and are therefore important to study. In some cases the prevalence of local discomfort, for example draught under warm conditions, is not uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important to assess thermal comfort for design solutions adequately, because otherwise expected comfortable conditions could turn into uncomfortable ones. Since cooling is an important parameter regarding the exergy/energy-use of buildings, the objective of this research was to study the effects of different cooling principles on human thermal comfort, physiological responses and productivity. To examine the influence of passive and active cooling systems a climate room setup with experimental subjects was used. Ten male subjects (age: 18-30; BMI: 18-25) participated in the experiments. The subjects visited the climate room on six occasions: passive cooling through (1) mixing ventilation (To=26°C), active cooling by convection through (2) mixing and (3) displacement ventilation, active cooling by radiation (4) via the ceiling and mixing ventilation (5) via the floor and mixing ventilation and (6) via the floor and displacement ventilation. Physiological and thermal sensation data indicate significant differences between the passive and active cooling cases.

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Pages: 11 p.

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Details

  • Original title: The influence of different cooling techniques on thermal comfort and physiological responses.
  • Record ID : 30009342
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: Clima 2013. 11th REHVA World Congress and 8th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality, Ventilation and Energy Conservation in Buildings.
  • Publication date: 2013/06/16

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