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2023 | Buch

Personal Comfort Systems for Improving Indoor Thermal Comfort and Air Quality

herausgegeben von: Faming Wang, Bin Yang, Qihong Deng, Maohui Luo

Verlag: Springer Nature Singapore

Buchreihe : Indoor Environment and Sustainable Building

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Über dieses Buch

This book first describes fundamental knowledge on human thermal comfort, adaptive thermal comfort, thermal comfort in sleeping environments, modeling of human thermal comfort, and thermal comfort assessment using human trials. Next, it presents an in-depth review of concept progress and evaluation of various personal comfort system, summarizes important findings and feasible applications, current gaps as well as future research needs. The seven chapters included in this section are task/ambient conditioning systems, personalized ventilation systems, electric fans, personal comfort systems, thermoelectric systems, personal thermal management systems, and wearable personal thermal comfort systems. This book provides valuable guidance for personal comfort system design and further improvement on the personal comfort performance. It will be a valuable resource for academic researchers, engineers in industry, and government regulators in the field of sustainable buildings and built environment.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter
Thermal Comfort
Abstract
This chapter introduces the definition of thermal comfort, human thermoregulation process, thermal comfort equation and thermal comfort standards. There are six basic factors influencing thermal comfort, including air temperature, mean radiant temperature, air velocity, vapor pressure, clothing level and metabolic rate. Human thermoregulation is a very complicated process and is achieved via autonomic (i.e., involuntary) and behavioral (i.e., voluntary) responses. Human thermal equilibrium is affected by the heat generated by human metabolism and the heat exchange between the human body and its environment. A few of thermal indices have been developed to assess thermal comfort in the building environment. These indices can be divided into two main categories: temperature indices (such as ET, ET*, SET, operative temperature) and sensation indices (PMV-PPD). The PMV-PPD, as the most well-known and widely used index, was established based on the Fanger’s thermal comfort equation. The PMV-PPD model has been a path breaking contribution to the theory of thermal comfort and to the evaluation of indoor thermal environments in buildings.
Guangtao Fan, Yu Chen, Qihong Deng
Adaptive Thermal Comfort
Abstract
Adaptive thermal comfort is one of the approaches to understanding and predicting human thermal comfort in the building environment. Different from the heat balance approach that emphasizes the physical aspects of thermal comfort, the adaptive approach encourages thermally variable solutions, such as climate-responsive and energy-conserving designs, and innovative mechanical systems that allow for personal control, and therefore reduce the energy consumption of the building environment conditioning. This chapter briefly introduces why adaptive thermal comfort can attract so much research attention in the first two decades of the twenty-first century alongside the rational heat balance models. The fundamentals of building occupants’ thermal adaptation were interpreted from three layers, e.g. behavioral adjustment, psychological adaptation, and physiological acclimation. Then the progress in adaptive comfort model development and relevant regulatory documents was summarized. At last, the future challenges and opportunities of adaptive thermal comfort were shortly addressed.
Maohui Luo
Thermal Comfort in Sleeping Environments
Abstract
Sleep thermal environments could affect human thermal regulation and inextricably link with sleep quality. Numerous researches have been conducted to explore the effects of the thermal environment on sleep quality under field conditions or psychrometric chamber conditions. In recent years, in order to meet the personalized sleep thermal environment and improve sleep quality, personalized sleeping temperature adjustment systems become hot topics. In this chapter, firstly, the reasons why thermal environments affect sleep regulation are described. Based on this, two kinds of personalized sleeping temperature adjustment methods are provided to ensure good sleep quality: the body cooling method and the body warming method. These two methods are applicable to different sleep thermal environments. Both of them achieve an elevation of human thermal comfort during sleep. At the same time, the building energy consumption is significantly reduced. Moreover, the disadvantages of each method are listed. Finally, future trends in personalized sleeping temperature adjustment systems development and research have been discussed.
Songtao Hu, Shimin Liang
Human Thermal Comfort Modeling
Abstract
From a perspective of maximizing thermal comfort for occupants while minimizing energy consumption, personalized air conditioning systems (PCS) have gained attention as a more cost-effective alternative to conventional air conditioning systems that maintain a constant temperature in a room. To implement or introduce such novel technologies, it is necessary to quantify user’s perception of them. While experiments involving human subjects and the use of a thermal manikin can be used to evaluate thermal comfort, they are not always practical. With the advancement of computational technology, more sophisticated physiological and psychometric models that go beyond traditional comfort indices have been proposed to evaluate thermal comfort in complex environments such as those with non-uniform and transient temperatures. This chapter describes the history and several examples of thermoregulation and thermal comfort models and introduces the concept of ‘thermal alliesthesia’ which refers to subjective experiences of thermal pleasure resulting from changes in a person's thermal status.
Shin-ichi Tanabe, Akihisa Nomoto, Yoshito Takahashi, Yutaro Ogawa
Indoor Thermal Comfort Assessment Using Human Trials
Abstract
Thermal comfort dictates our alliesthesia and behavioural responses in indoor environments with the primary aim of maintaining the thermal homeostasis of our human body. The recent advances in neurophysiology research have suggested that thermal comfort is a physiological response that is regulated by the deviations of both skin and core temperatures. Therefore, when conducting thermal comfort using indoor occupants in an indoor environment, proper experimental design and standardisation should be followed. However, there is no book chapter or review articles that provides an educational guideline on how to properly implement the thermal comfort experiment in an indoor environment using indoor occupants (normal occupational activities and during sleep in a home-based setting). Therefore, the primary purpose of this chapter is to illustrate how to conduct indoor thermal comfort related experiments using human trials in both normal occupational activities and during sleep in a home-based setting. Furthermore, we hope that the information presented in this chapter will result in better experimental design when conducting the experiment on thermal comfort using indoor occupants (occupational and home-based environments). Due to this reason, special emphasis will be focused on the experimental design, selection of participants and experimental standardisation. The key summary of this chapter is that thermal comfort related to indoor occupants in an indoor environment should perform priori sample analysis and follow the proper experimental design and standardisation as outlined in this chapter.
Tze-Huan Lei, Li Lan, Faming Wang
Task/Ambient Conditioning Systems
Abstract
Personal thermal comfort has received increasing attention in recent years. A task/ambient conditioning (TAC) system has been developed by many researchers. TAC systems are an excellent ventilation strategy that considers both personal thermal comfort and energy savings. By delivering heated or cooled air directly to the occupancy zone, the system provides local thermal comfort. TAC systems have typically been installed in an open-plan room. TAC systems of various types could be used (e.g., floor-based air distribution system). A well-designed TAC system can meet the requirements of the occupancy for thermal comfort, ventilation performance, indoor air quality, work efficiency, and energy savings. This chapter summarises the intelligent design, operational characteristics, equipment, and future trends of TAC systems in office buildings in a systematic manner.
Bin Yang, Yuyao Guo, Xiaojing Li, Zhiyu Song
Personalized Ventilation Systems
Abstract
Personalized ventilation systems provide clean, cool, and controlled air to occupant breathing or occupied areas, with the primary goal of regulating the air in the occupant-adjacent microenvironment. It has several advantages over other air distribution methods. First, providing 100% fresh air improves inhaled air quality and reduces pollutant spread. Second, occupants can tailor the parameters of personalized ventilation to their specific needs, improving human thermal comfort and lowering occupant complaints. Finally, when combined with background ventilation systems, the system energy consumption is significantly reduced. This section first introduces personalized ventilation system design considerations, traditional and advanced control strategies, and existing personalized ventilation devices (mainly around desks and chairs). The different performances generated by combining personalized ventilation systems with different ventilation systems, as well as the application scenarios, are then described. Finally, the development of personalized ventilation systems is discussed in terms of device improvement, intelligent control, and system combination.
Bin Yang, Yihang Liu, Xin Zhu, Xiaojing Li
Electric Fans
Abstract
By generating air flow, electric cooling fans provide cool air to help individuals dissipate body heat loss in warm environments. They are also used to lower the temperature of industrial equipment so that they assist maintaining high efficiency and ensuring that performance is not compromised due to heat generated. Electric fans have a simple structure and are easy to use and maintain. They have a high standard of electrical performance requirements and are stable in operation, safe to use. Fans have a high air volume, are low in noise and vibration, easy to place and movable. Furthermore, electric fans can meet both thermal comfort and energy-saving requirements. The air flow generated by electric fans can effectively compensate for the impact of rising temperature on thermal comfort and reduce occupant discomfort in a warm environment. Simultaneously, the use of electric fans in the summer can raise the set temperature of air conditioning systems while lowering building energy consumption. Electric fans are popular cooling devices that are widely used in a variety of environments and locations. This chapter provides an overview of the history of electric fans, fan types, and a variety of related issues, such as the benefits and drawbacks of various electric fans, fan selection and arrangement points, fan control modes, and energy cost issues. Finally, future research and development directions for electric fans are discussed.
Bin Yang, Shuang Yang, Xiaojing Li, Dacheng Jin
Personal Comfort Systems
Abstract
Personal comfort systems (PCSs) are commonly used indoors as energy-efficient alternatives to traditional whole-space heating and cooling to improve occupant thermal comfort and acceptability under a variety of thermal conditions. Despite the fact that numerous studies have shown that using PCSs has beneficial effects, no definitive conclusions on the effectiveness of PCSs on thermal comfort enhancement have been reached. Furthermore, detailed analyses of specific indoor thermal conditions that appear to be the most promising require additional research. We conducted a thorough systematic review in this chapter to summarise, analyse, and compare findings from eligible documented studies on the effects of various PCSs on occupant thermal comfort. We also investigated the energy efficiency of the selected PCSs. The effects of total cooling or heating area, as well as the types of PCSs, on the perceptual responses of occupants, were specifically addressed. This systematic review will serve as a starting point for selecting highly energy-efficient and effective personal comfort systems to improve building occupant thermal comfort.
Wenfang Song, Yongchao Zhai, Faming Wang
Thermoelectric System for Personal Cooling and Heating
Abstract
In recent decades, personalized and customized thermal management technologies are emerging along with the flourishing of diverse personal thermoregulation requirements. Among all potential technologies that may replace conventional bulky air conditioning system, thermoelectric (TE) technology has several advantages over conventional cooling systems, including low driving energy, compact in size, eco-friendly and low-maintenance requirement, no direct mechanical moving parts and working fluid, and having it simple to switch between cooling and heating modes. Recent researches on thermoelectric technology for personal thermal management (PTM) are discussed in this Chapter, including modeling and design methodologies, novel system/device structures, and innovative TE materials. Current representative studies are summarized, and prospective future trends in terms of modeling, structures, and materials are discussed.
Haodan Pan, Xueying Li, Dongliang Zhao
Personal Thermal Management Materials (PTMMs)
Abstract
Personal thermal management is a promising solution to improve human body thermal comfort and reduce building energy consumption. Personal management materials (PTMMs) with zero or near-zero power supply are being developed to effectively regulate heat exchange between human body and the ambient. This chapter provides an in-depth overview of the recent progress on the various advanced PTMMs for thermal management under various ambient conditions, including cooling fabrics, heating fabrics, and due-modes fabrics. The functioning principle, engineering methods as well as the cooling/heating effects of the various PTMMs were discussed. Finally, an outlook discussing the development and research of PTMMs is also presented.
Wenfang Song, Wenyue Lu
Wearable Personal Thermal Management Systems (PTMS)
Abstract
Personal thermal management appears to be a promising approach for improving individual thermal comfort while keeping building energy consumption to a minimum. Personal thermal management systems (PTMS) have numerous advantages. First, PTMS could significantly reduce building cooling and heating energy consumption. They also do not require an air distribution system, which is a significant source of energy consumption in traditional personalized ventilation systems (PVS). Furthermore, PTMSs with near-zero energy input could significantly reduce built-environment energy consumption. Furthermore, PTMSs could prevent draught risks caused by high supply air velocity, which is a common issue in TACS (task/ambient conditioning systems) and PVS. This chapter provides an in-depth overview of various existing personal thermal management systems, including their advantages and disadvantages in comparison to other systems such as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and PECS (personal environment control system). Finally, future trends in PTMS development and research have been discussed.
Faming Wang
Contactless Sensing of Indoor Thermal Comfort and Air Quality Using Computer Vision Technology
Abstract
Indoor thermal comfort and air quality have a significant impact on people’s lives and health. Among the various elements of the indoor environment, indoor temperature is regarded as the primary reference factor for human thermal comfort, accounting for a large portion of building energy consumption. Furthermore, the rapid advancement of computer vision technology (CV) provides dependable technical support for contactless detection of human core temperature. As a result, it is becoming increasingly important to develop an indoor temperature control system that can improve thermal comfort while reducing building energy consumption. This chapter describes the application background of computer vision technology in detail and provides an in-depth overview of existing personal thermal comfort prediction models as well as dynamically regulated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Finally, the paper summarizes the realization of contactless human thermal sensation and comfort detection using computer vision technology, as well as future miniaturization of detection equipment and privacy protection.
Xiaogang Cheng
Metadaten
Titel
Personal Comfort Systems for Improving Indoor Thermal Comfort and Air Quality
herausgegeben von
Faming Wang
Bin Yang
Qihong Deng
Maohui Luo
Copyright-Jahr
2023
Verlag
Springer Nature Singapore
Electronic ISBN
978-981-9907-18-2
Print ISBN
978-981-9907-17-5
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0718-2