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HVAC&R RESEARCH
Studies in the field are needed to make clear the contribution of different factors that affect the
body comfort in upward airflow and to recommend design values.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THERMAL COMFORT
In an upward-displacement system, treated air is supplied in the horizontal or vertical direc-
tion through outlets located in the lower part of the zone. The fresh air passes through the occu-
pant zone first and then rises up through the unoccupied zone to the exhaust. Thus, the
concentrations of humidity and pollutants and the temperature of the exhaust air are higher than
those in the occupant zone. In this manner, the system provides a better environment and
reduces air-conditioning energy. The mode of regulation is flexible so that these systems are
adaptable to different types of buildings and air-distribution systems. These systems have poten-
tial for modern office buildings.
Previous research into upward-airflow systems has shown that the main indoor environment
indexes that affect body comfort are mean temperature in the occupant zone, humidity, air
velocity, and mean radiation temperature. Mean temperature and air velocity in the occupant
zone are closely related to air distribution. The type of outlet, the location and number of outlets,
and the velocity and temperature of supply air are factors that influence the two indexes of mean
temperature and velocity.
The influence of the type of outlet on the distribution of air is related to its structure and per-
formance. In the active region of the outlet, different outlet types lead to different distribution pat-
terns. The layout of outlets is important. When the supply air outlets are located in the floor, they
need to be some distance away from the occupant to prevent drafts, which can result in discomfort.
Supply air velocity is an important design variable for air distribution. With the same volume
of air, a higher supply velocity means less supply air area and smaller number or size of the out-
lets. However, a higher velocity leads to a longer attenuation distance and the danger of blasting
air on the occupants.
Another important factor is temperature of supply air. A lower temperature of the supply air
produces a larger air temperature difference for heat transfer. A lower volume of supply air is
required, which reduces the plant capacity and fan power. However, it leads to large temperature
gradients in the zone and irregular air distribution, which is worse for upward airflow. On the
other hand, increasing the temperature of supply air will increase the required volume of supply
air, air velocity, and size and number of outlets.
The goal of this study is to evaluate the effects of the following four factors: (1) type of outlet,
(2) distance between occupant and outlet, (3) velocity of the supply air, and (4) temperature of
the supply air.
EXPERIMENTAL SCHEME
Three types of outlets with the same diameter (200 mm) were used in this study: a circular
straight vane outlet, a rotational flow outlet, and an inductive rotational flow outlet. The circular
straight vane outlet has a simple structure with little flow resistance but poor airflow diffusivity.
In the rotational flow outlet, air enters at the bottom and flows upward against vanes that pro-
duce a rotating flow. This outlet has better diffusivity than the circular outlet, but a more com-
plex structure and larger flow resistance. The inductive rotational flow outlet induces air from
the air-conditioned room, with the result that the temperature of air coming from the outlet is
higher than with the former types.
Three levels of distance between occupant and outlet were studied: 0.4, 0.7, and 1.0 m. Some
previous research concluded that when the distance between occupants and the edge of outlet
was kept larger than 0.4 to 0.6 m, the predicted percentage dissatisfied PPD because of drafts
will be less than 15% (Wang 1986). Other research suggested that the distance should be kept