scholarly journals BIM and Data-Driven Predictive Analysis of Optimum Thermal Comfort for Indoor Environment

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4401
Author(s):  
Vincent J.L. Gan ◽  
Han Luo ◽  
Yi Tan ◽  
Min Deng ◽  
H.L. Kwok
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Boundary Conditions ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Predictive Analysis ◽  
Comfort Index ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort

Mechanical ventilation comprises a significant proportion of the total energy consumed in buildings. Sufficient natural ventilation in buildings is critical in reducing the energy consumption of mechanical ventilation while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment for occupants. In this paper, a new computerized framework based on building information modelling (BIM) and machine learning data-driven models is presented to analyze the optimum thermal comfort for indoor environments with the effect of natural ventilation. BIM provides geometrical and semantic information of the built environment, which are leveraged for setting the computational domain and boundary conditions of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. CFD modelling is conducted to obtain the flow field and temperature distribution, the results of which determine the thermal comfort index in a ventilated environment. BIM–CFD provides spatial data, boundary conditions, indoor environmental parameters, and the thermal comfort index for machine learning to construct robust data-driven models to empower the predictive analysis. In the neural network, the adjacency matrix in the field of graph theory is used to represent the spatial features (such as zone adjacency and connectivity) and incorporate the potential impact of interzonal airflow in thermal comfort analysis. The results of a case study indicate that utilizing natural ventilation can save cooling power consumption, but it may not be sufficient to fulfil all the thermal comfort criteria. The performance of natural ventilation at different seasons should be considered to identify the period when both air conditioning energy use and indoor thermal comfort are achieved. With the proposed new framework, thermal comfort prediction can be examined more efficiently to study different design options, operating scenarios, and changeover strategies between various ventilation modes, such as better spatial HVAC system designs, specific room-based real-time HVAC control, and other potential applications to maximize indoor thermal comfort.

A Data-Driven Thermal Sensation Model Based Predictive Controller for Indoor Thermal Comfort and Energy Optimization

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao Chen ◽  
Qian Wang
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Energy Optimization ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
Comfort Index ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Occupant Feedback ◽  
Predictive Controller ◽  
Radiant Temperature

This paper proposes a model predictive controller (MPC) using a data-driven thermal sensation model for indoor thermal comfort and energy optimization. The uniqueness of this empirical thermal sensation model lies in that it uses feedback from occupants (occupant actual votes) to improve the accuracy of model prediction. We evaluated the performance of our controller by comparing it with other MPC controllers developed using the Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model as thermal comfort index. The simulation results demonstrate that in general our controller achieves a comparable level of energy consumption and comfort while eases the computation demand posed by using the PMV model in the MPC formulation. It is also worth pointing out that since we assume that our controller receives occupant feedback (votes) on thermal comfort, we do not need to monitor the parameters such as relative humidity, air velocity, mean radiant temperature and occupant clothing level changes which are necessary in the computation of PMV index. Furthermore simulations show that in cases where occupants’ actual sensation votes might deviate from the PMV predictions (i.e., a bias associated with PMV), our controller has the potential to outperform the PMV based MPC controller by providing a better indoor thermal comfort.

scholarly journals Indoor Thermal Comfort Analysis: A Case Study of Modern and Traditional Buildings in Hot-Arid Climatic Region of Ethiopia

Urban Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Haven Hailu ◽  
Eshetu Gelan ◽  
Yared Girma
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Significant Role ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Thermal Sensation ◽  
Climatic Region ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Objective Measurements ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Adaptive Comfort

Indoor thermal comfort is an essential aspect of sustainable architecture and it is critical in maintaining a safe indoor environment. Expectations, acceptability, and preferences of traditional and modern buildings are different in terms of thermal comfort. This study, therefore, attempts to evaluate the indoor thermal comforts of modern and traditional buildings and identify the contributing factors that impede or facilitate indoor thermal comfort in Semera city, Ethiopia. This study employed subjective and objective measurements. The subjective measurement is based on the ASHRAE seven-point thermal sensation scale. An adaptive comfort model was employed according to the ASHRAE standard to evaluate indoor thermal comfort. The results revealed that with regards to thermal sensational votes between −1 and +1, 88% of the respondents are satisfied with the indoor environment in traditional houses, while in modern houses this figure is 22%. Likewise, 83% of occupants in traditional houses expressed a preference for their homes to remain the same or be only slightly cooler or warmer. Traditional houses were, on average, in compliance with the 80% acceptability band of the adaptive comfort standard. The study investigated that traditional building techniques and materials, in combination with consideration of microclimate, were found to play a significant role in regulating the indoor environment.

From Construction to Operation: Achieving Indoor Thermal Comfort via Altering External Walls Specifications in Egypt

2013 ◽  
Vol 689 ◽  
pp. 250-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed M. Mahdy ◽  
Marialena Nikolopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Residential Energy ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Minimum Energy Consumption ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Running Cost ◽  
The Cost

The objective of this research is to study the effect of using different material specifications for the external walls on the cost of the energy consumption for achieving internal thermal comfort. We refer to this as operation running cost, which in turn is compared to initial construction cost for each type of the used external walls. In order to achieve this objective, dynamic thermal simulation were carried out for four different types of external walls – commonly used in Egypt – in two different sets of cooling: natural ventilation and mechanical means. Experiments recommend that using the Egyptian Residential Energy Code (EREC) to achieve inner thermal comfort with the minimum energy consumption (consequently the minimum CO2 emissions) and the minimum running cost as well.

Indoor Thermal Environment Simulation of Xi'an Residential Building in Summer

2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 2882-2886
Author(s):  
Shi Jie Wu ◽  
Zeng Feng Yan
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Plus ◽  
Environment Simulation ◽  
Indoor Air Flow ◽  
Night Ventilation

Natural ventilation is an important role to improve the residential building indoor thermal environment in summer. This paper use Energy Plus to simulate indoor thermal environment and use CFD to simulate indoor air flow for Xi’an residential building, analysis the influence that different ventilation mode for indoor thermal environment factors. Then with the simulated result of PMV-PPD value to estimate indoor thermal comfort. Proved night ventilation is necessary in residential building in Xi’an and effectiveness to improve indoor thermal comfort.

scholarly journals Experimental study on indoor environment quality in a naturally ventilated classroom of a university using natural ventilation and ventilation fan

2020 ◽  
Vol 165 ◽  
pp. 04082
Author(s):  
Jie Zong ◽  
Wenjun He ◽  
Lingna Wang ◽  
Hongkai Chai ◽  
Yingying Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Indoor Environment ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Concentration ◽  
Co2 Concentration ◽  
Environment Quality ◽  
Air Supply ◽  
Indoor Environment Quality ◽  
Jinan City ◽  
Ventilation Fan

Strengthening indoor ventilation is an important measure to improve air quality. In transitional season between spring and summer, a university classroom in Jinan city was selected as the research object. Mechanical air supply is adopted to solve the problem of insufficient fresh air or excessive carbon dioxide concentration in the classroom. CO2 concentration and air change rates are compared in natural ventilation and mechanical classrooms. The experiment shows that the indoor CO2 concentration of mechanical ventilation classroom is relatively low. Under natural ventilation, mechanical ventilation and mixed ventilation, the average air change rates were 1.05 h-1, 1.83 h-1 and 2.7 h-1, respectively. According to the statistics analysis of the questionnaire, 72.84% of the students hope to install the mechanical ventilation in the classroom.

Analysis of Natural Ventilation Systems in Schoolrooms

2016 ◽  
Vol 824 ◽  
pp. 625-632
Author(s):  
Mária Budiaková
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Experimental Measurements ◽  
Air Velocity ◽  
The Future ◽  
Ventilation Systems

The paper is oriented on the analysis of the ventilation systems in schoolrooms. Correct and sufficient ventilation of schoolrooms is very important because students and pupils spend in the schoolrooms the majority of their time in school. In our schools the ventilation is incorrect and insufficient. The biggest problem is winter period when the ventilation is provided only by opening the doors to corridor. This way, there is insufficient intake of oxygen, which causes distractibility and feeling of tiredness of pupils. In current schoolrooms we can use only natural ventilation and thus the schoolrooms have to be ventilated using windows. Therefore this research was focused on the comparison and the analysis of different systems of natural ventilation in schoolrooms. The experimental measurements were carried out in schoolroom, where the parameters of thermal comfort were measured in the different systems of natural ventilation with device Testo 480 which was connected to computer. Gained values of air temperature, air velocity and index PMV are presented in graphs. On the base of analysis of measured values were evaluated the systems of natural ventilation for schoolrooms. In the future, the mechanical ventilation in schoolrooms can be assumed, therefore the recommendation on modern energy saving system of mechanical ventilation is in the end of this paper.

A model for thermal comfort assessment of naturally ventilated housing in the hot and dry tropical climate

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnaud Louis Sountong-Noma Ouedraogo ◽  
Adamah Messan ◽  
Daniel Yamegueu ◽  
Yezouma Coulibaly
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Natural Ventilation ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Essential Condition ◽  
Comfort Index ◽  
Dry Climates ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Decision Making Tool

PurposeA major challenge faced by West Africa is to find comfortable housing as a result of climate change and population growth. The climatic adaptation of buildings and their indoor environment become an essential condition for maintaining the health and productivity of the occupants. This paper proposes a model to assess the thermal comfort of naturally ventilated buildings in hot and dry climates in Burkina Faso.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed method is an adaptive model which relies on a combination of parameters such as the operative temperature, the new effective temperature and the basic parameters of thermal comfort. It consists in proposing the zones of thermal comfort on the diagram of the humid air for each climatic region.FindingsA decision-making tool is set up for evaluating the comfort of buildings to better consider the bio-climatic concept through a long-term comfort index. This comfort index is defined and is used to assess the degree of thermal discomfort for various types of housing. Two natural ventilation pilot buildings located in Ouagadougou were considered. The results show that the pilot building whose wall are is made of Earth blocks achieves 26.4% of thermal comfort while the building made of hollow cement block achieves 25.8% of thermal comfort.Originality/valueThe decision-making tool proposed in the present study allow building stakeholders to better and easily design, assess and improve the thermal environment of buildings.

scholarly journals Research on Indoor Thermal Comfort and Age of Air in Qilou Street Shop under Mechanical Ventilation Scheme: A Case Study of Nanning Traditional Block in Southern China

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 4037
Author(s):  
Xianfeng Huang ◽  
Chen Qu
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Air Quality ◽  
Thermal Comfort ◽  
Thermal Environment ◽  
Southern China ◽  
Air Conditioner ◽  
Indoor Thermal Environment ◽  
Indoor Thermal Comfort ◽  
Circulation Mode ◽  
Ventilation Scheme

In hot summers, air conditioning (AC) and mechanical ventilation (such as fans) are used as cooling modes that strongly influence the resultant indoor environment, like thermal comfort and air quality in the shops of a Nanning arcade street (qilou). The air circulation mode in shops greatly affects the indoor thermal environment and level of air freshness. The approaches for effectively improving the indoor thermal comfort and air quality are developed in qilou street shops with air-conditioner in a humid and hot region in southern China. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to assess different ventilation schemes in order to identify the best one. By using two indices, i.e., the predicted mean vote (PMV) and the age of air (AoA), in situ measurement and numerical simulation are conducted to investigate humans’ thermal comfort in extreme summer. Then, the indoor thermal comfort and AoA levels in summer under three different ventilation schemes (upper-inlet–upper-outlet, upper-inlet–bottom-outlet, and side-inlet–side-outlet) are comparatively analyzed through numerical computations of the indoor thermal environment. The results show that the upper-inlet–upper-outlet mode of the AC ventilation scheme led to the creation of a favorable air quality and comfortable thermal environment inside the shop, which will help designers understand the influence of the ventilation scheme on the indoor thermal comfort and health environment.

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