Experimental investigation

The transformation of the building energy sector to a highly efficient, clean, decentralised and intelligent system requires innovative technologies like microscale trigeneration and thermally activated building structures (TABS) to pave the way ahead. The combination of such technologies however presents a scientific and engineering challenge. Scientific challenge in terms of developing optimal thermo-electric load management strategies based on overall energy system analysis and an engineering challenge in terms of implementing these strategies through process planning and control.

The results of this investigation revealed the airflow distribution from a new design of supply diffuser under non-isothermal conditions. To illustrate the indoor climate parameters in the occupied zone, for both the heating and cooling seasons, an experimental investigation was carried out in industrial premises. The indoor climate was explored at ankle, waist and neck levels for a standing person at different positions, to determine the variation of the thermal comfort indexes and draught rating (DR) with position in the facility.

The ventilation efficiency of different ventilation patterns inside a room containing one person and officefurniture arranged by different inlet/outlet configurations was investigated. The numerical simulation(CFD) was first adopted to predict air flow pattern and ventilation performance. Then, a laboratoryexperimental measurement at room air distribution in a full-scale test chamber was conducted using thehot wire velocimetry (IFA300) to validate the simulation results.