Improving Collective Thermal Comfort Through Directional Diffuser Control and Non-Uniform Thermal Conditions
Open Access
Author:
Bauco, Christopher
Area of Honors:
Architectural Engineering
Degree:
Bachelor of Architectural Engineering
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Greg Pavlak, Thesis Supervisor Richard Mistrick, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Thermal Comfort
Abstract:
Companies both nationwide and abroad have begun adopting the use of open office plans, creating a challenge for maintaining thermal properties throughout these larger spaces due to their large variations in occupancy and generalized control strategies. In most situations, these spaces are typically assumed to have uniform thermal properties which allows for simpler design and modeling. However, the reality of larger spaces with varying occupancy is often different and will typically have natural fluctuations of thermal conditions throughout. Previous research has aimed at using HVAC system controls to incorporate the natural differences between individual occupants into the strategies used to achieve heating and cooling. This research aims to further this idea through detailed transient analysis of the impact of changing supply airflow direction and temperature to a room based on the individual comfort profiles of occupants within the room. Computational fluid dynamics was used to examine the thermal conditions of an office space used by six occupants throughout a four-hour period from 1 to 5 PM on a summer and winter day. Supply air direction and temperature were changed throughout this period in response to the individual comfort probability of individuals within the space in order to increase and maintain their comfort. It was found that the collective comfort probability of two occupants in an open office space could be greatly increased through the use of these controls in the appropriate manner. All six tested cases were successful in improving and maintaining occupant thermal comfort over a four-hour period, showing potential for further development to address more occupants over an extended period of time.
