Modelling thermal comfort for tropics using fuzzy logic

Present international standard for thermal comfort such as ASHRAE Standard 55 and ISO 7730 were developed to serve as a guideline for moderate thermal environments e.g. mechanically airconditioned spaces [CEN ISO 1995]. Recent thermal comfort studies had reported that some discrepancies were observed in its application for Naturally Ventilated (NV) buildings in hot and

Computational and experimental reduced-scale modelling of air conditioned rooms

An improper air distribution within air-conditioned rooms is one of the largest causes of inadequate indoor air quality and thermal comfort. A good knowledge of the phenomena allows for the advance of eventual deficiencies, thus becoming a powerful tool for the optimization of new projects or for the improvement of the operation conditions of the projects already implemented. In this study two methods were applied, one computational and the other experimental, for modelling of non-isothermal turbulent flows in airconditioned rooms. The computational model consists of a numerical

LoopDA : a natural ventilation system design and analysis tool

The Loop Equation Design Method has been proposed for sizing ventilation airflow components of natural and hybrid ventilation systems. While the loop design method has been demonstrated on a limited basis, the method has been automated in order to better evaluate its reliability under a more controlled, i.e., less error-prone, environment. This paper describes a computer program that implements the Loop Equation Design Method of sizing the openings of naturally ventilated buildings.

Simulation of air infiltration through revolving doors

Air infiltration through revolving doors may have significant impact on the heating load of commercial and institutional spaces, and may create discomfort to people. This paper modifies a 40-year old model by Schutrum et al. (1961), composed of two components:
(1) estimation of air exchange between one segment of the revolving door and the indoor/outdoor,
(2) estimation of net air infiltration rate.

A Matlab-based simulation tool for building thermal performance analysis

This paper presents the development of a simulation tool based on the Matlab computational environment for building temperature performance analysis with automatic control. The simulation tool contains mathematical models for buildings, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems, sensors, weather data and control algorithms. The building mathematical model is described in terms of statespace variables, with a lumped approach for the room air governing equations energy and mass balances. In this context, the simulation tool structure and components are explained.

Fuzzy neural networks model for building energy diagnosis

A comfortable indoor climate environment is necessary for modern buildings and therefore the Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems are widely used. Faults or disturbances are normally unavoidable in the systems and they will lead to more energy consumption or degradation of comfort level of indoor climate. Energy consumption is useful to detect the

Responding to sudden pollutant releases in office buildings : 1. Framework and analysis tools

This paper is a presentation of a methodology for developing responses to sudden releases of toxic pollutants in buildings. This methodology may be applied even if few data on the building are available.The results are several tools that describe uncertainty in the predictions and a model to rank the parameters depending to their influence on the expected reduction in model prediction uncertainties.

The RAGENA dynamic model of radon generation, entry and accumulation indoors

The RAGENA model of radon takes into account all the parameters and processes affecting radon levels (in the source, its transport, its entry into a dwelling and its accumulation indoors).The model has been tested in a mediterranean house. The results given by the model are similar to the ones obtained experimentally.

Review of indoor emission source models. Part 2. : parameter estimation

This paper is the second part of a study on indoor emission sources models : this part is the compilation and review of 48 methods for parameter estimation.For an useful valid model, estimation of the different parameters of a model must be easy. But the development of methods for parameters estimation is often left for only the development of model, and these models are then not used after their publication.

Modeling exposure to particulate matter

Scientific tools are used to get insights into the processes that affect the exposure assessment : these are the exposure models. This paper aims at reviewing the process and methodology of estimating inhalation exposure to particulate matter (PM) using various types of models.Indirect type, direct type and stochastical models are discussed in this paper.

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