Influence of the Ceiling Mounted Localized Air Distribution System Performance in the Human Body

¹ FCT – University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
² Instituto Superior Técnico, Lisboa, Portugal
³ CINTAL – University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
⁴ School of Built Environment – University of Reading, Reading, UK

^* corresponding author: econcei@ualg.pt

Abstract

This work presents a numerical study of the influence of the ceiling mounted localized air distribution system performance in the human thermal behavior. In his study a coupling of the Computational Fluids Dynamics and the Human Thermal Modelling is used to evaluate the thermal comfort, the indoor air quality and the Draught Risk. The input data, of the coupling numerical models, are evaluated in the Building Dynamics Modelling. The virtual chamber geometry is generated using the Computational Aided Design system and the occupants’ geometry is generated using empirical equations, based on occupant height and weight. The ADI (Air Distribution Index) and the ADTI (Air Distribution Turbulence Index), used to evaluate the Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning system performance, depends of the thermal comfort level, the indoor air quality level, the Draught Risk level, the effectiveness for heat removal, the effectiveness for contaminant removal and the effectiveness for airflow removal. The study is made in a virtual chamber occupied by twelve virtual manikins and equipped with twelve seats, six desks and with a ceiling mounted localized air distribution system. The ceiling mounted localized air distribution system is equipped with an inlet system and an extraction system located above the head level.