Diffuse Ceiling Ventilation - A Review

As a novel air distribution system, diffuse ceiling ventilation combines the suspended acoustic ceiling with ventilation supply. Due to the low-impulse supply from the large ceiling area, the system does not generate draught when supplying cold air. However, heat sources play an important role on thermal comfort in the occupant zone. Another characteristic of this system is its lower pressure drop compared with conventional ventilation systems, which reduces the noise problem and, at the same time, the energy consumption of the fan can be reduced. This review is based on a number of experimental and numerical studies on diffuse ceiling ventilation. Performance in terms of thermal comfort, air quality, pressure drop as well as radiant cooling potential are examined.  Finally, a discussion on the proper design of the suspended ceiling and plenum to achieve a uniform air distribution and surface temperature as well as optimizing the radiant cooling potential by combining with thermal mass is conducted and gives a direction for further investigation.