Cover
Vol. 11 No. 2 (2020)

Published: November 15, 2020

Pages: 170-183

Research Paper

Numerical study of thermal comfort levels in a conference hall

Mhaned A. Mudher 1 Ahmed A. Najeeb ao 2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Anbar Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq
2aDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Anbar Ramadi, Anbar, Iraq
History
  • Received: September 5, 2020
  • Revised: October 2, 2020
  • Accepted: October 13, 2020
  • Available Online: November 15, 2020
DOI

https://doi.org/10.37649/aengs.2020.171219

Abstract

The present study was concerned with the analysis, simulation of the air flow pat-terns and thermal comfort levels in the University of Anbar at conferences hall (Ibn Al Haitham hall). The study was performed in a hot - dry season. The pur-pose of the present work was to investigate the level of thermal comfort and the influence of the air flow on the flow patterns at the conferences hall. It has been assumed that the total number of occupying audiences in the hall was approxi-mately 100 persons. The present work simulated and analyzed four hypothetical cases, namely: in the first case, the hall was assumed as an empty place, whereas the other three cases were performed by redistribution for the three units of air conditioning, the hall was assumed as a filled place with persons in September 2019. The study was accomplished using simulation techniques, a CFD code (FLUENT 6.2) v.17, which is commercially available. The CFD modelling tech-niques were applied to solve the continuity, momentum and the energy conserva-tion equations in addition to the Turbulence k-є (RNG) model equations for a tur-bulence closure model. Thermal comfort was assessed by finding the values of predicted mean vote (PMV), predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD), and ASHRAE standard-55. In conclusion, the second case was the superior in compar-ison to these other cases. It was noted that the PMV value was 0.17, whereas the PPD value was 6.79 at the breathing level.

Keywords

References

  1. Fanger, “Thermal comfort: Analysis and applications in environmental engineering: Fanger, P.O. Danish Technical Press, Copenhagen, Denmark, 1970, 244 pp.: abstr. In World Textile Abstracts,” Appl. Ergon., vol. 3, no.3, p. 181, 1972.
  2. Bambang Iskandriawan, “Study of Air Velocity and Temperature Gradient in Lecture Room Through Mixed and Displacement Ventilation Systems to Improve the Thermal Comfort” IPTEK, The Journal for Technology and Science, Vol. 21, No. 2, May 2010.
  3. Hannu Koskela et al, “Flow Pattern and Thermal Comfort in Office Environment with Active chilled Beams,” American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, 2010.
  4. N. Kampelisa et al, “Thermal comfort evaluation in HVAC Demand Response control,” 9th International Conference on Sustainability in Energy and Buildings, SEB-17, 5-7 July 2017 .
  5. Aldona Skotnicka, “Assessment of thermal comfort in a lecture hall with the application of instruments for computational fluid dynamics,” Technical Sciences, 2016, 19(1), 41–58.
  6. Yuce B. E and Pulat E, “Numerical simulation of thermal flow and comfort in an office room,” 12th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, 2016.
  7. I. Hayatu, I. Mukhtar, N. M. Mu, and J. S. Enaburekhan, “An Assessment of Thermal Comfort in Hot and Dry Season (A Case Study of 4 Theaters at Bayero University Kano),” vol. 3, pp. 1117– 1121, 2015.
  8. K. Cena and R. De Dear, “Thermal comfort and behavioral strategies in office buildings located in a hot-arid climate,” vol. 26, pp. 409–414, 2001.
  9. Jungsoo Kim and Richard de Dear, “Thermal comfort expectations and adaptive behavioural characteristics of primary and secondary school students,” Building and Environment 127 (2018) 13–22.
  10. Sheikh Ahmad Zaki et al,“Adaptive Thermal Comfort in University Classrooms 1 in Malaysia and Japan,” Building and Environment, S0360-1323(17)30250, 2017.
  11. Tamaraukuro Tammy Amasuomo and Japo Oweikeye Amasuomo“Perceived Thermal Discomfort and Stress Behaviours Affecting Students’ Learning in Lecture Theatres in the Humid Tropics,” Buildings 2016, 6, 18.
  12. S.H. Ibrahim et al,“Assessment of thermal comfort in the mosque in Sarawak, Malaysia” ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT, Vol5, Issue 3 (2014), pp 327-334.
  13. Kwang-Chul Noh et al, “Thermal Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in the lecture room with 4-way cassette air conditioned and mixing ventilation system,” Building and Environment 42(2007) 689–698.
  14. Madhavi Indraganti and Djamel Boussaa, “An adaptive relationship of thermal comfort for the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries: The case of Qatari offices,” ENERGY AND BUILDING, S0378-7788(17)32901-8, 2017.
  15. Shamila Haddad et al., “Application of adaptive thermal comfort methods for Iranian schoolchildren,” Building Research & Information, ISSN: 0961-3218 (Print) 1466-4321, 2016.
  16. Taher M. Abou-deif et al, “Numerical Investigation of Flow Patterns and Thermal Comfort in Air-Conditioned Lecture Rooms,” World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol: 7 2013-05-21.
  17. Marcelo Luiz Pereira“Thermal comfort conditions in a room ventilated with split system-numerical and experimental analysis,” 14th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering November 18-22, 2012, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.
  18. Ahmed Ali and Mohammed Saeed, “Investigation of human thermal comfort and improvement in public places adapted to a hot climate in Iraq,” Anbar Journal of Engineering Science (2018).