VA-89-06-2 -- A Study Heat and Mass Transfer through a Doorway in a Traditionally Built House PDF

The work was concerned with measuring heat and mass transfer through a doorway between the lower and upper floors of a traditionally built house. Airflow rates between the two floors were measured using a tracer gas decay technique, and the temperatures at various points on each floor were measured using thermocouples. The lower floor of the house was heated to various temperatures in the range of 18° to 35°C using thermostatically controlled heaters. The upper floor was unheated. Two portable SF₆ systems fitted with electron capture detectors were employed for measurement of the interzonal airflow. The heat and mass flow rates between the two floors were calculated from the tracer gas concentrations and temperature differences. Results were compared with values predicted by existing algorithms for two zone enclosures. The mass flow rate and coefficient of discharge for the doorway were found to be functions of the temperature difference between the floors of the house.