English

Indoor air flow induced by a fan-coil unit in an air-conditioned environmental chamber is studied experimentally. The supply Archimedes number which is a macroscopic number describing indoor air flow is measured and related to the
centreline velocity and temperature decay of the cold air jet issued from the fan-coil unit. The space air diffusion and the thermal comfort using respectively the Air Diffusion Performance Index (ADP]) and the Predicted Percentage of  dissatisfied (PPD) are evaluated. Evolution of these indices with the supply Archimedes number is discussed.

The indoor air quality of an actual variable air volume (VA V) heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HV AC) system in a building on the campus of the University of Missouri, Rolla has been analyzed, modified, and monitored. Components measured include temperature, relative humidity, C02, volatile organic matter (VOM), particulates, outside air flow rate, and building pressure. In addition to these parameters, the building is studied in normal operation, and for operation when the economizer damper was controlled to maintain minimum outside air.

Ventilative cooling represents one of the heat dissipation techniques in the building design process. In this paper, we identify the driving forces of natural ventilation and their implications within the building. We focus on the various strategies to enhance the air circulation and exhibit the limits of this cooling technique. Design guidelines for architects based on existing knowledge are suggested. Finally, perspectives in terms of future research actions are exposed

Over 90% of office workers would rather be served by natural ventilation systems, so why is it not normal practice?
Many architects and consultants argue that serious technical difficulties make it impossible to implement.