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An explorative study on transient cooling pattern and energy efficiency while using micro-zonal occupant-centric control.
- Source :
-
Architectural Engineering & Design Management . Aug2023, Vol. 19 Issue 4, p340-359. 20p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Virtually dividing thermal zones into micro-zones and conditioning them using occupant-centric control (OCC) has emerged as a significant method in reducing cooling energy. Hence, the need arises to study time-sensitive thermal behaviour within micro-zones under OCC as thermal coupling from adjacent micro-zones significantly influences cooling patterns. This will explain possible variations in cooling time and energy consumption under different occupancies and aid in analysing the feasibility of micro-zoning as an efficient strategy. This study aims at exploring the key parameters that influence cooling patterns under micro-zonal OCC. Effects of four factors, namely indoor ambient temperature, supply air velocity, thermostat location and occupancy are explored using validated transient state CFD simulations for a hypothetical open-plan office. Results indicate that compared to zone conditioning, micro-zonal OCC can reduce about 20%–70% overall cooling energy while maintaining setpoint conditions and show the following three patterns: rate of cooling in occupied micro-zones decreases as they start to cool unoccupied zones through thermal coupling; supply air velocity and ambient temperature impact thermal coupling and the size of a chosen micro-zone influences energy load. This study is the first attempt at transient exploration of thermal developments within micro-zones under the influence of relevant parameters and is a necessary precursor to experimental studies on micro-zonal OCC. HIGHLIGHTS • Dividing thermal zones into micro-zones under the OCC saves 20%–70% energy. • First attempt at transient exploration of thermal developments within micro-zones. • The supplied air velocity, ambient temperature and micro-zone size influence HVAC energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *ENERGY consumption
*AIRDROP
*SLUDGE conditioning
*THERMOSTAT
*OPEN plan offices
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 17452007
- Volume :
- 19
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Architectural Engineering & Design Management
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 165471824
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/17452007.2022.2049439