Thermal Environment Analysis of a Scientific Laboratory using Computational Fluid Dynamics

Qi Jie Kwong,Jamalunlaili Abdullah,Oliver Hoon Leh Ling,Jim Yexin Yang,E Mohd Ahnuar,N.A Abdul Rahman,R Mohd Nordin,J Yunus

doi:10.1051/matecconf/201926602004

Abstract

University staff and students typically spend most of their time indoors. This paper evaluates the thermal environment of an air-conditioned scientific laboratory in a tertiary educational institution in Malaysia using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). This computational technique has been used in analysing the indoor environments and has been found to be useful in aiding facilities management. A pilot survey was conducted to collect the required information such as indoor parameters and boundary conditions for the setting up of a CFD model of the laboratory. The model was then simulated based on the data obtained from field observations. Results indicate that the laboratory users sitting at different rows and work desks would experience different thermal sensations. The mean air temperature was below the recommended comfort zone specified in the local energy standard, but the air velocities were generally within the acceptable range. Based on the calculated predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage dissatisfied (PPD) indices, most of the users would be thermally uncomfortable, and a warmer environment was preferred. Recommendations were made to regulate the inlet air temperature of the laboratory to improve thermal comfort of laboratory users and for energy saving purposes.

Highlights

Educational institutes are built to provide the public with academic services and such buildings have distinctive indoor environment design, safety, occupant load and capacity requirements
Many previous studies have presented that the learning/work performance and occupant health conditions in educational institutions are closely related to the indoor environmental parameters, which include thermal comfort [2,3]
This study aims to contribute to this growing area of indoor thermal environment research by exploring the thermal comfort conditions of an air-conditioned university laboratory in Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Educational institutes are built to provide the public with academic services and such buildings have distinctive indoor environment design, safety, occupant load and capacity requirements. A typical educational building has several building types catered for different uses, such as lecture theatre, classroom, academic office, laboratory, workshop and others. Among these academic structures, the laboratories are the learning areas where users are given the opportunity to implement theoretical knowledge via practical works and to avoid potential laboratory hazards, prescribed laboratory rules and procedures must be observed. Many previous studies have presented that the learning/work performance and occupant health conditions in educational institutions are closely related to the indoor environmental parameters, which include thermal comfort [2,3]. In the hot-humid regions, more cooling and ventilation systems are used in modern buildings to improve and sustain thermal comfort, but at the cost of increasing energy use

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Results