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1 – 10 of over 1000
Article
Publication date: 14 August 2007

G. Comini and S. Savino

Joint descriptions of both heat and mass transfer and thermodynamic aspects of air‐cooling applications cannot be easily found in the literature. Numerical analyses are a notable…

1148

Abstract

Purpose

Joint descriptions of both heat and mass transfer and thermodynamic aspects of air‐cooling applications cannot be easily found in the literature. Numerical analyses are a notable exception since suitable physical models and realistic boundary conditions are a prerequisite of accurate simulations. Thus, it is believed that the experience gained with numerical simulations might be of some help also to designers of air‐conditioning and drying systems. This paper seeks to address this issue.

Design/methodology/approach

In the text, the physical implications of governing equations and boundary conditions utilized in numerical simulations are extensively discussed. Particular attention is paid to the thermodynamically consistent definition of latent and sensible heat loads, and to the correct formulation of the heat and mass transfer analogy.

Findings

Comparisons of analytical and numerical results concerning forced flows of humid air over a cooled plate validate the assumptions made in numerical simulations, both for air‐conditioning applications (almost always characterized by low rates of mass convection) and drying applications (almost always characterized by high rates of mass convection).

Originality/value

Finally, with reference to the cold plate problem investigated here, the effects of the suction flow induced by condensation on the Nusselt number are quantified.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 29 August 2018

Nwakaego Chikaodinaka Onyenokporo and Ekele Thompson Ochedi

The purpose of this paper is to develop a set of affordable retrofit packages that can be applied to existing residential buildings in hot-humid regions to improve occupants’…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop a set of affordable retrofit packages that can be applied to existing residential buildings in hot-humid regions to improve occupants’ thermal comfort and reduce energy consumption.

Design/methodology/approach

A critical review of relevant literature to identify passive design strategies for improving thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption in hot-humid climates with focus on the building envelope was conducted in addition to a simulation study of an existing building typology in study area.

Findings

There is enormous potential to reduce energy costs and improve thermal comfort through building retrofit packages which is a recent concept in developing countries, such as Nigeria. Analysing the results of the retrofit interventions using building energy simulation helped in developing affordable retrofit packages which had optimum effect in improving indoor comfort temperature to the neutral temperature specified for hot humid Nigeria and further down to 3°C less than that of the reference building used. The use of passive design strategies to retrofit the building might help homeowners reduce their annual energy consumption by up to 46.3 per cent just by improving the indoor thermal comfort.

Originality/value

In addition to improving thermal comfort and reducing energy consumption, this research identified affordable retrofit packages and considered its cost implications especially to low-income earners who form a larger population of Lagos, Nigeria, as this was not considered by many previous researchers.

Details

International Journal of Building Pathology and Adaptation, vol. 37 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2398-4708

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 February 1951

K.J. Mackenzie and J.H. Boddy

THE performance of a gas turbine fuel can be estimated most conveniently by using a single combustion chamber test unit. Such fuel testing has often shown a lack of repeatability…

Abstract

THE performance of a gas turbine fuel can be estimated most conveniently by using a single combustion chamber test unit. Such fuel testing has often shown a lack of repeatability that is difficult to ascribe to normal experimental errors only. In reviewing possible sources of error, the uncontrolled variable of atmospheric humidity has been considered. From past records the average specific humidity in the British Isles is 0·006 lb. water per lb. of dry air while the maximum on any day is unlikely to exceed 0·020 lb. water per lb. of dry air.

Details

Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, vol. 23 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0002-2667

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1989

Bennett J. Price

This article discusses the basics of computer‐room air conditioning, an important component of the special environment required by mainframe computers and many mini‐computers as…

Abstract

This article discusses the basics of computer‐room air conditioning, an important component of the special environment required by mainframe computers and many mini‐computers as well. Computer room air conditioners differ in some significant ways from “comfort” air‐conditioners, which are designed for the comfort of people rather than machines. These differences make it less than ideal to use air conditioning systems designed for human comfort for computer cooling. The author describes several different types of air‐conditioners, considerations related to the construction of a computer room, and factors that determine air‐conditioning requirements.

Details

Library Hi Tech, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0737-8831

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1990

D. Balmer

Discusses the conditions which cause condensation, and suggests thecorrect methods to alleviate the problem. Outlines the results ofexcessive condensation and explains solutions…

Abstract

Discusses the conditions which cause condensation, and suggests the correct methods to alleviate the problem. Outlines the results of excessive condensation and explains solutions based on type of room and building affected. Suggests tactful ways of tendering advice.

Details

Structural Survey, vol. 8 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-080X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 April 2019

Michael Maks Davis, Andrea Lorena Vallejo Espinosa and Francisco Rene Ramirez

Vertical gardens offer multiple benefits in urban environments, including passive cooling services. Previous research explored the use of “active vertical gardens” as potential…

Abstract

Purpose

Vertical gardens offer multiple benefits in urban environments, including passive cooling services. Previous research explored the use of “active vertical gardens” as potential evaporative air-cooling units by developing a mathematical model based on the FAO-56 Penman Monteith equation. Further research showed that active vertical gardens function best by creating an airflow in the cavity behind the garden such that air is cooled by flowing over the water-saturated garden substrate. The purpose of this paper is to improve the quantification of active vertical garden performance.

Design/methodology/approach

A building-incorporated vertical garden was built in Quito, Ecuador, with an air inlet at the top of the garden, an air cavity behind the garden and where air was expelled from the base. Measurements were made of air temperature, humidity and velocity at the air inlet and outlet.

Findings

The active vertical garden cooled the air by an average of 8.1 °C with an average cooling capacity of 682.8 W. Including the effects of pre-cooling at the garden inlet, the garden cooled the air by an average of 14.3 °C with an average cooling capacity of 1,203.2 W.

Originality/value

The results are promising and support the potential for active vertical gardens to be incorporated into building services and climate control.

Details

Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, vol. 8 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2046-6099

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 4 September 2019

Abiodun Olatunji Abisuga, Cynthia Changxin Wang and Riza Yosia Sunindijo

This paper aims to identify user-centred facilities performance attributes of higher education buildings and how they can be used to evaluate individual learning spaces. These…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to identify user-centred facilities performance attributes of higher education buildings and how they can be used to evaluate individual learning spaces. These attributes are then consolidated for developing a post-occupancy evaluation (POE) framework in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review of the literature on the POE of higher education buildings is conducted.

Findings

This study identifies 36 facility performance attributes in higher education buildings, which can be categorised into four dimensions: ambient; spatial; technology; and building support and services requirements. These facility performance attributes need to meet user requirements to achieve satisfactory feedback. It is also important to note that user requirements differ from one learning space to another; thus, it is essential to consider the characteristics of individual learning spaces.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed evaluation framework is context-based and may not be suitable to evaluate other types of buildings. It may be further extended and enhanced to meet other facility management evaluation needs.

Practical implications

The POE framework developed in this research can be used to generate facilities management analytic to inform future design and improve existing higher education facilities.

Originality/value

This research has developed a holistic POE framework tool to meet user requirements in higher education buildings.

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2020

Robin Robertson

This paper aims to present the physics of climate and climate change in an accessible manner to the layman in the context of shifting spheres.

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to present the physics of climate and climate change in an accessible manner to the layman in the context of shifting spheres.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents the physics of climate and climate change in an accessible manner to the layman in the context of shifting spheres. This is a viewpoint and more of a literature review than new findings.

Findings

Earth's climate is changing due to man's influence.

Social implications

Climate change will be a major factor in the future of our society.

Originality/value

The text is original. The information is not. There is recent information in this article. The author even updated things during the review process. The science is always improving.

Details

Kybernetes, vol. 50 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0368-492X

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 6 August 2019

Meysam Yari, Rasool Kalbasi and Pouyan Talebizadehsardari

This study aims to simulate the flow and heat transfer through an air handling unit to reduce its energy consumption by a novel creative idea of using an air-to-air heat exchanger.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to simulate the flow and heat transfer through an air handling unit to reduce its energy consumption by a novel creative idea of using an air-to-air heat exchanger.

Design/methodology/approach

To do this, both first and second laws of thermodynamics energy and exergy balance equations were solved numerically by an appropriate developed computer code.

Findings

Using the air-to-air heat exchanger in dry conditions decreases the cooling coil load by 0.9 per cent, whereas the reduction for humid conditions is 27 per cent. Similarly, using air-to-air heat exchanger leads to an increase in the first law of efficiency in dry and humid conditions by 0.9 per cent and 36.8 per cent, respectively.

Originality/value

The second law of efficiency increases by 1.55 per cent and 2.77 per cent in dry and humid conditions, respectively. In other words, the effect of using an air-to-air heat exchanger in humid conditions is more than that in dry conditions.

Details

International Journal of Numerical Methods for Heat & Fluid Flow, vol. 29 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0961-5539

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 2018

Bin Wang

In all kinds of modern fountains, music fountain can integrate human's sense of vision and hearing in real time, and plan the perfect environmental art effect in the urban…

Abstract

In all kinds of modern fountains, music fountain can integrate human's sense of vision and hearing in real time, and plan the perfect environmental art effect in the urban planning landscape. Based on this, the theory of musical feature recognition was proposed, and the forms of the fountain and the main points of the layout and layouts under different environments were analyzed; based on the above methods, the Dallas fountain square was analyzed comprehensively, including the design background, design features and the main points of landscape planning. The results show that Dallas fountain plaza can be regarded as one of the representative works of structuralism architectural style, and it can provide a classic case of learning structuralism for future generations.

Details

Open House International, vol. 43 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0168-2601

Keywords

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