C16 -- Numerical Study of the Efficiency of Intermittent Air Supply System in Providing Thermal Comfort in a Classroom with Low Energy Cost PDF

Spaces with high occupancy density like classrooms present challenges to ventilate due to high thermal loads. In order to meet occupants' perception of thermal comfort in such spaces, traditional systems (i.e. mixed ventilation (MV)) consume a lot of energy. Alternative ventilation strategies have been proposed to reduce the energy consumption of ventilation systems in crowded places while maintaining the occupants' well-being. One strategy is to supply a downward intermittent pulsating airflow directly on the occupants' head (the most sensitive body part to airflow change). This will increase the convective heat transfer allowing comfortable operations at elevated room temperatures thus, at lower energy consumption.

In this work, a newly proposed intermittent air jet system (IAJS) is investigated to study whether transient ventilation supply can result in acceptable levels of thermal comfort in classrooms spaces at reduced energy cost. This air distribution system supplies air at high momentum with an intermittent pulsating (ON-OFF) profile into the classroom. The energy performance of a classroom ventilated using MV was compared to that ventilated using an IAJS system, assuming same fan size.