Long-term energy performance of dew-point indirect evaporative cooler under the climate change world scenario

The progressive increase in the global average outdoor air temperature has caused an increase in the cooling demand in buildings in recent years. Given this climate change scenario, there is a need to develop efficient air-cooling systems that improve the energy efficiency of traditional direct expansion units. In this sense, ventilative cooling technologies should be tested under the climate change world scenario.

The Effects of Lowering Temperature Setpoints on Perceived Thermal Comfort – An experimental study in office buildings

This study investigates the impact of lowering temperature setpoints on occupants' thermal comfort in office buildings, prompted by government initiatives in Europe, including the Netherlands, to reduce energy consumption. The research methodology involved a case study conducted in three office buildings in The Netherlands. Data on occupants' perception, motivation, clothing thermal insulation, activity level, discomfort, and thermal control options were collected through interviews conducted for thermal comfort surveys and building surveys.

Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC): A Resilient and Sustainable Cooling Solution for hot and humid climates - Energy Performance and Numerical Modeling

Sea Water Air Conditioning (SWAC) is a highly efficient alternative to conventional air conditioning that uses deep seawater as a cooling source (Free Cooling). There are three SWAC installations in the world dedicated to cooling production in real-operating conditions, all located in French Polynesia due to its suitable bathymetry for SWAC installations and the high cooling needs of tropical climate. These installations provide cooling for two hotel complexes and a hospital center respectively in Bora Bora, Tetiaroa, and Tahiti.

Performance comparison of different ventilation strategies in elderly care homes in Belgium

Elderly people residing in nursing homes spend a vast majority of their times indoors and often in common recreation areas, to allow for socialization and interaction. Elderly people are a vulnerable age group. Hence, it is essential to provide them with good breathable air quality during these common activities and reduce cross contamination through ventilation. Prolonged exposures of elderly to contaminants may adversely affect their health, quality of life and increase medical expenditures due to frequent hospitalizations.

Method for Evaluating an Air-Conditioning System with Natural Ventilation by Coupled Analysis of a Building Energy Simulation Tool and Computational Fluid Dynamics

In office buildings, an air-conditioning system with natural ventilation can reduce cooling loads and create a comfortable indoor environment. However, it is difficult to predict the performance of such systems and there is concern that the natural ventilation will create an uneven indoor thermal environment. In this paper, we propose a method for evaluating the performance of a natural-ventilation air-conditioning system by coupling a building energy simulation tool and computational fluid dynamics.

A study on desiccant system regenerated by waste heat from home-use solid oxide fuel cell cogeneration system

Since the spread of covid-19 in 2019, it is necessary to realize an indoor environment that takes measures against viral infections such as covid-19 and influenza virus. One method for realizing such an indoor environment is to control indoor humidity. In a high-humidity environment, mold grows, indoor air quality deteriorates, and physical fatigue increases. On the other hand, in a low-humidity environment, viruses easily suspend and the immune system gets weaker. Therefore, controlling indoor humidity is necessary for human health.

Wind Tunnel Experiment of Wind-Induced Single-sided Ventilation under Generic Sheltered Urban Area

The utilization of natural ventilation helps to reduce building energy consumption and improve indoor air quality. In the urban area, the performance of the natural ventilation is very sensitive to surrounding building density. However, the influence of surrounding buildings on ventilation rate was not well investigated in previous research. This paper presents a wind tunnel experiment to assess the influence of urban density on the wind-induced ventilation rate of single-sided ventilation.

Development of air supplied ceiling radiant air conditioning system using the Coanda effect

Air-supplied ceiling radiant air conditioning is expected to become more popular in Japan in the future because there is no leakage from pipes and no condensation on the surfaces of radiant panels. Coanda air conditioning, a type of air-supplied ceiling radiant air conditioning, uses the Coanda effect, which is the tendency a fluid passing near a wall to maintain contact with it. As used commonly, Coanda air conditioning cools the ceiling surface by blowing airflow horizontally along it from the top of the wall surface and cooling by radiation1).

Reflections on alternative modelling approaches regarding occupants' window operation behaviour

Computational predictions of buildings' indoor-environmental conditions and energy performance would presumably benefit from the inclusion of models that could reliably capture occupants' window operation behaviour. Frequently, models derived from empirical data have a black-box character. However, the utility of window operation models could be conceivably improved, if the model derivation process is preceded by specific hypotheses regarding the variables that are assumed to influence the frequency and timing of window operation actions.

Energy Implications of Increased Ventilation in Commercial Buildings to Mitigate Airborne Pathogen Transmission

One proposed mitigation to reduce transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and other airborne pathogens is to increase ventilation in buildings. This measure can be difficult to implement in existing buildings and has the potential environmental costs of increased energy consumption to condition the additional airflow, as well as other potential costs such as the disposal of existing serviceable mechanical equipment and the manufacture and delivery of new equipment.

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