Investigation on thermal environment and heat transfer characteristics in ice rinks with different envelopes

Abstract

Ice rinks are a special kind of building with strict indoor requirements and high energy consumption. Indoor thermal environment along with heat and mass transfer in ice rinks with different envelopes are worthy of investigation. On-site measurement was carried out in two recreational ice rinks with different envelope materials. The average air temperature and humidity in the ice field were 8.7 °C, 6.2 g/kg in the concrete structure Rink A while 12.4 °C, 7.9 g/kg in the air-supported membrane structure Rink B. Severe problems of dew condensation, fogging and frosting were observed in Rink A while only frosting occurred in Rink B. The refrigeration load on a typical summer day was 4689 kWh in Rink A and 5611 kWh in Rink B. Long-wave radiation accounts for the most important part in both rinks with a proportion over 44%. By virtue of applying low-emissivity coating on the ceiling, refrigeration load can be reduced by 53.2%. Applicability of air-supported membrane structure in recreational ice rinks is discussed. The current research is beneficial for the design and operation of ice rinks.