This paper surveys the state of integration of passive cooling devices in buildings. This survey illustrates the fact that there are no general prescriptions for the integration in the design of passive cooling devices. Further the present paper does not intend to propose general prescriptions for the integration of cooling devices in design but only to illustrate a number of existing problems.
The need for auxiliary heating and cooling systems in European buildings is established on the basis of building physics and climatic conditions, emphasizing that cooling systems may not be needed in most regions if there are no large internal gains and the building envelope is well designed, through the use of bioclimatic design principles. Occupant attitudes and the consequences upon indoor environmental quality are also compared for the cases of actively and naturally controlled buildings.
A field study investigated outside air delivery and thermal comfort in a normally operating variable-air-volume (VA V) system. In addition to finding that outside air delivery and thermal comfort are generally acceptable under a variety of operating conditions, a number of practical diagnostic techniques were used to more fully understand VA V system operation and design. It was concluded that unless a VAV system is well understood or continuously monitored, the likelihood of unexpected system behavior that can impact the outside air delivery and thermal comfort is high.
Modelling techniques were used to verify the success of a "minimal duct" ventilation system proposed for an underground carpark in a prestigious project in Singapore. The procedure to determine the various model scaling parameters, to select the appropriate fans to model the supply and exhaust fans, as well as the "dilution fans"; and to simulate the movement of air through the vehicle access ramps are presented. Measurements from the model were found to be reasonable when compared with results from numerical simulation. However, certain modifications were needed to improve the system.
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