Measurement and CFD analysis of a local radiant cooling solution

Abstract

This paper entails an empirical and computational assessment of the air flow field in the close proximity of a vertically positioned radiant cooling panel. This radiant cooling solution differs from the conventional large-area radiant cooling systems (e.g., ceiling panels). It involves rather small-sized vertical panels positioned close to occupants. Moreover, the panels are designed so as to manage potential surface condensation of water vapor via integrated drainage elements. Hence, the panels can be operated with relatively low surface temperatures. The low panel surface temperature and its proximity to the occupants are intended to compensate for the potential lower cooling power due to the relatively small panel size. In this paper, we specifically explore the air flow field close to the local radiant cooling panel via laboratory measurements and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Thus, possible issues regarding discomfort due to draft and turbulence risk close to the radiant panel can be examined. To this end, a prototypical local radiant cooling panel was installed in a mock-up office room of a laboratory. During the experiments, the air flow speed was measured and simulated at several heights (between 10 and 110 cm from the floor) and distances (ranging from 1 to 50 cm from the radiant panel). The results allow for the evaluation of the draft discomfort risk as well as the reliability of CFD in reproduction of the measurement results. A further step involved the numeric analysis of the effect of the human model on the air flow patter.