Indoor Ice Rink Research Articles

Complex Heat Exchange of Structures Taking Into Account Radiation Cooling in Indoor Ice Rinks

Statement of the problem. The aim of the work is to construct a numerical model of complex radiation-convective heat exchange of the roof structures of an indoor skating rink with moist air of the upper zone to identify the dependencies of the increase in the velocity and area of condensation of water vapor on the height of the room Results. Based on the results of a numerical study of the process of complex non—stationary heat exchange of the system «surface of the floor structure — indoor air –– ice surface», theoretical dependences of the increase in the velocity and area of condensation of water vapor from the vertical coordinate under the action of radiation cooling from the ice field were obtained for the first time. Conclusions. The obtained dependences allow us to theoretically justify the choice of rational technical solutions and operating modes of ventilation and air conditioning systems in the upper zone to prevent condensation on the internal surfaces of building and enclosing structures.

Theoretical justification for the choice of technical solutions for microclimate support systems of indoor ice rinks

Theoretical justification for the choice of technical solutions for microclimate support systems of indoor ice rinks

Multicriteria Optimization of Design Solutions for Microclimate Systems for Rooms with Artificial Ice

Рurpose of research. The most energy-intensive facilities for holding sports and cultural events are indoor ice rinks and ice arenas. Simplified technical solutions when designing the systems for providing the microclimate of these structures lead to significant operating costs and can lead to serious negative consequences in a relatively short period. In this regard, the problem of developing methods for choosing the optimal design solution for these systems is becoming ever more urgent. The purpose of the article is to develop a mathematical model for multi-criteria optimization of design solutions for systems providing the microclimate of rooms with artificial ice.Methods. Determining the optimal design solution for microclimate systems in terms of several parameters, each of which can be decisive, is an applied task of system analysis, the basic principles and patterns of which were taken into account when solving the problem of multicriteria optimization.Results. A list of particular optimality criteria reflecting the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of design solutions has been determined. The method of vector criterion convolution has been used to search for the optimal solution for the selected particular criteria. An optimization model based on the principles of system analysis has been developed.Conclusion. The developed mathematical model of multicriteria optimization makes it possible to provide priority to more important particular criteria by increasing their weights. In this case, it should be remembered that particular criteria must be commensurate, and, therefore, reduced to a dimensionless form. Since the absolute values of the criteria are essential in the optimization task under consideration, for the chosen vector of parameters, it is necessary to choose exactly the additive method of folding the generalized criterion.

Developing Open-Air Sports Facilities to Enhance Socio- Family Relations

Ice skating is a prominent winter sport, and ice rinks provide an excellent place for socio-family relation enhancement, which means that sports are indeed a great tool to enhance parents’ and children’s bond. Most ice rinks were built indoors in Southeast Asia since the climate is not suitable for outdoor-built facilities. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic raised a new challenge for this sport’s development. This study aims to determine whether an outdoor ice rink can be built in a tropical climate that also serves as a place for socio-family relationships to blossom. The method utilized is a research-based design where observational data from several ice rinks was interpreted into the notion of a healthy sports facility that is a synthetic ice rink with its technical advantages and unique atmosphere, setting an example of thoughtful design in correlation to a sport’s development. This innovative design concept offers a new attraction as open-air rinks add to the scenery, are energy-efficient, and are cost-effective since their maintenance is cheaper than mechanical, indoor ice rinks.
 Keywords: ice rink, socio-family relations

Investigation of displacement and jet ventilation systems applied in an ice rink

Ice rinks are large space buildings with a unique required indoor environment and high energy consumption. On-site measurements are carried out in two professional indoor ice rinks to investigate the vertical temperature and humidity distributions with jet ventilation system and displacement ventilation system. Jet ventilation achieves a more uniform vertical distribution, while stratification is observed at the height of the baffle around the competition field with ground displacement ventilation. A verified CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) model established based on the measured data is utilized to analyze the indoor thermal environment. It is demonstrated that the heat and moisture transferred from the view stand consumed 42% of the cooling capacity and 83% of the dehumidification capacity in the case of jet ventilation. A better decoupled zoning control effect is obtained with displacement ventilation, with the consumed cooling and dehumidification capacities 54% and 51% lower. The present study is valuable for optimizing the ventilation system and energy conservation in ice rinks.

A numerical investigation of energy-saving potential of inner solarshade film: A case study of the National Aquatics Center, China

Transparent or semitransparent roof structures of sports venues have attracted much architect's attention, but the energy consumption of these buildings must be considered as a crucial aspect too. For the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics games, the curling sports event will be held in the China's National Aquatics Center. The roof of this center is made of double-layer ETFE film (Ethylene-tetra-fluoro-ethylene, a semitransparent film), which allows a large amount of external solar radiation to enter the main sports hall, leading to huge cooling demand for the indoor ice rink. To reduce energy demand, in this study, an innovative solar shade film was developed and installed between two air cushions in order to reduce solar radiation heat gain. Experimental and numerical studies were carried out to investigate the effect of environmental factors (including seasonal and weather variation) and film materials (transmittance) on the energy-saving potential. Results indicated that high outdoor solar irradiation and air temperature have a significant impact on the energy-saving potential. Meanwhile, the low transmittance of solarshade film reduced solar radiation reaching the room but significantly increased lighting energy consumption. To maximise the energy-saving potential, a transmittance of 0.25 is recommended for the China's National Aquatics Center, with significantly improved predicted total annual energy-saving of 467.3 MJ/m2.

Foam Polymers in Multifunctional Insulating Coatings.

The application of foamed polymers as one of the components of insulating coatings allows to solve the problems of energy saving and creation of optimal operating conditions for constructions. The systems of application of energy-efficient heat-insulating materials must consider both the particularities of the insulating materials and the functional orientation of the constructions. The implementation of the concept of seamless insulating coatings implies the achievement of thermal effect and reduction in air permeability both by means of the application of thermal insulation with low thermal conductivity and the minimization of junctions between separate elements of the insulating coating, which is achieved using elastic foamed polymers and, first of all, polyethylene foam. Construction of seamless insulating coatings creates practically impermeable heat, vapor, and water barriers along the outer perimeter of the insulated object. Multilayer products based on polyethylene foam represent a relatively new material—a fact that requires examination of their properties, as well as under various operating conditions, and development of a methodology for evaluation of the operational resistance of these materials in structures of different purposes, including cold conservation. The performed tests have shown that the compressive strength at 10% deformation is determined by the function of load application area and varies from 70 kPa during the test of cube samples of 10 × 10 × 10 in size to 260 kPa for areas exceeding 100 m2. The longitudinal tensile strength amounts to 80–92 kPa, and the strength of the weld seam is equal to 29–32 kPa. It has been established that the values of thermal conductivity of polyethylene foam with an average density of 18–20 kg/m3 amounts to 0.032–0.034 W/(m·K), diffusion moisture absorption is equal to 0.44 kg/m2 without a metallized coating and 0.37 kg/m2 with a metallized coating; water absorption after partial immersion in water for 24 h amounts to 0.013 kg/m2; water absorption by volume after complete water immersion for 28 days is equal to 0.96%. The material does not practically change its properties under conditions of long-term temperature alteration from −60 to +70 °C. The developed and implemented insulation systems for protective surfaces of framed construction objects, rubbhalls and frameless structures, floating floors, indoor ice rinks, and snow conservation systems are presented.

Optimization of ventilation of an indoor ice rink by numerical simulation of air flows

An important task in the design of objects with artificial ice cover is to provide them with a modern ventilation and air conditioning system, which allows maintaining the parameters of the air environment in the volume of the arena’s premises. A properly organized air exchange with an accurately calculated flow rate should ensure stable and comfortable air parameters on the roller for various zones. However, due to the complexity of the picture of thermal, mass transfer and air processes occurring during the operation of the ice arena, standard design techniques often do not allow to obtain the desired result. Therefore, at the present stage, it is extremely urgent to raise the quality of design of these objects, which can be done using the capabilities of the computer 3D-modeling method. At the moment, in the Russian Federation, modeling of air flows in the design of indoor ice platforms is used only in the construction of large facilities of national scale. This work presents a practical study on the possibility of using the method of numerical computer modeling to develop solutions to improve the ventilation systems of an existing facility of regional significance.

Blowdown experimental study on butene ejector

We present the results of a blowdown experiment to investigate the performance of a butene ejector. The blowdown configuration was selected for its flexibility and simplicity allowing for fast experimentation. The experiment featured an ejector where the primary, secondary and back pressure conditions are simulating those present in an ejector refrigeration cycle. The ejector was first tested with air and then 1butene refrigerant. Results showed that single- and double-choking conditions, as well as other well-known ejector features, could be achieved under various operating conditions. The validity of the acquired experimental results, based on the blowdown principle, was confirmed when the order of magnitude of the unsteady terms in the flow governing equations were found to be 105 to 107 times less than the steady terms. Displacing the primary nozzle positively towards the constant area section of the ejector increased both of the entrainment and compression ratios until an optimum position is reached, beyond which the entrainment ratio diminished. Based on the present experimental data, the estimated COP and mechanical COP values for a basic butene ejector cycle suitable for an indoor ice rink application ranged from 0.1 to 0.15, and from 9.2 to 13.7, respectively, when the evaporation temperature varied between −14.5 °C and −6.1 °C.

A Study on Thermal Characteristics Affected by Air Distribution System Installed in Indoor Ice Rink Arena

The Republic of Korea held the Winter Olympics in February 2018 and built several indoor ice rinks. Recently, the population of viewing and enjoying winter sports in indoor ice rink arenas is increasing and it is expected that the demand for building new indoor ice rink arenas will increase in the future. These indoor ice rinks generally should have an adequate dehumidification and heating system to provide optimal indoor air condition for users (spectators and athletes) under the required heat and humidity conditions. In addition, HVAC system designers should take steps to prevent fogging from condensation on the ice surface and to prevent condensation on the walls. This study was carried out to evaluate the formation of fog near the ice surface by using two air distribution systems applicable to the indoor ice rink arena. It was confirmed that the mixed ventilation method did not cause fog near ice surface, and that there is a great difference in the composition of the indoor thermal environment of the ice rink arena according to the type of ventilation system.

Air Distribution and Air Handling Unit Configuration Effects on Energy Performance in an Air-Heated Ice Rink Arena

Indoor ice rink arenas are among the foremost consumers of energy within building sector due to their exclusive indoor conditions. A single ice rink arena may consume energy of up to 3500 MWh annually, indicating the potential for energy saving. The cooling effect of the ice pad, which is the main source for heat loss, causes a vertical indoor air temperature gradient. The objective of the present study is twofold: (i) to study vertical temperature stratification of indoor air, and how it impacts on heat load toward the ice pad; (ii) to investigate the energy performance of air handling units (AHU), as well as the effects of various AHU layouts on ice rinks’ energy consumption. To this end, six AHU configurations with different air-distribution solutions are presented, based on existing arenas in Finland. The results of the study verify that cooling energy demand can significantly be reduced by 38 percent if indoor temperature gradient approaches 1 °C/m. This is implemented through air distribution solutions. Moreover, the cooling energy demand for dehumidification is decreased to 59.5 percent through precisely planning the AHU layout, particularly at the cooling coil and heat recovery sections. The study reveals that a more customized air distribution results in less stratified indoor air temperature.

The choice of the scheme of air distribution from ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the hall of the small indoor ice rink

The choice of the scheme of air distribution from ventilation and air-conditioning systems in the hall of the small indoor ice rink

Exposure assessment of non-electric ice resurfacer operators in indoor ice rinks: a pilot study.

Exposure of ice resurfacer operators to indoor air contaminants was measured in six indoor ice arenas. A standardized questionnaire on technical and operational features was employed and indoor airborne concentrations of carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitric oxide (NO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were measured. Air samples were collected using a range of direct reading instruments attached to the driver's seat of the resurfacer. The range of mean exposure concentrations via positional sampling (i.e. as close as able to the operator's breathing zone) were 5.7-7.4ppm, 694-2171ppm, <0.5 to 0.5ppm, and<0.1 to 0.2ppm, for CO, CO2, NO, and NO2, respectively. Exposure levels for SO2 and VOC were below detection. Overall, each of the measured indoor air contaminants was found to be below its respective occupational exposure limits (OEL), suggesting that the risk of hazardous exposure is low. The use of natural gas as a fuel source is believed to contribute to low contaminant concentrations.

Energy and exergy investigation of ejector refrigeration systems using retrograde refrigerants

Conventional and compression-enhanced ejector refrigeration systems were investigated numerically using regular and retrograde refrigerants. The nature of retrograde fluids was explained, including their main advantages and disadvantages. The numerical model was developed and validated with previous experimental data of both types of working fluids. Energy and exergy analysis were performed to examine system performance and compare between the selected refrigerant candidates. Retrograde refrigerants were found promising with both versions of ejector cycles, when two case studies of an air conditioning application and an indoor ice rink were considered. The butene series showed superior coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency, especially the isomers cis-2-butene and 1-butene.

Assessment of the impact of the ice resurfacer the air quality in the hall of an indoor ice rink

Assessment of the impact of the ice resurfacer the air quality in the hall of an indoor ice rink

Performance Assessment of Air Conditioning Installation In Multifunctional Sports Hall Using Cfd Simulations

Abstract The purpose of the paper was testing of the air distribution system performance in the multifunctional hall. The numerical simulations of the airflows were made with the Ansys software. Three cases with two working modes of the installation were simulated: a large sport event with audience on the stalls, an exhibition with presentation boxes and an indoor ice rink. Direct results of the simulations and statistical data were analyzed. The results showed that for the ice rink and exhibition the system performance was very good, but during the large sport event with the full audience the air temperature in the occupied zone was much higher than the desired value.

Three-dimensional transient heat transfer and airflow in an indoor ice rink with radiant heat sources

Three-dimensional mixed convection in an ice rink heated by thermostatically controlled radiant heaters was simulated numerically using the standard k–e model with wall functions. This large building was modelled under transient conditions by considering the real outdoors atmospheric conditions for a typical spring day in Montreal, Canada. Results indicate the usefulness of the CFD technique as a powerful tool which provides a detailed description of the flow and temperature fields as well as the heat fluxes into the ice. The most important results are: Heating is needed only during the night (from 22 h to 7 h) when the outdoors temperature is relatively low. The On/Off switching of the radiant panels influences the temperature profiles throughout the ice rink; even the ice surface temperature is affected although the view factor between these two surfaces is zero. The radiation heat flux towards the ice increases significantly when the radiant panels are turned On; this can influence ice quality. The resurfacing operation increases the ice temperature and, by convection, the temperature of the air immediately above the stands. The air near the ice surface (1 meter over the ice) is essentially stagnant and significant air velocities can only be found above the stands and near the ceiling above the ice. The volumetric flow rate and temperature of the air evacuated from the building vary significantly between the different outlets.

Optimal insulation for ice rink floors

This paper presents an economic analysis to estimate the optimal insulation levels required for indoor ice rinks floors. The analysis is carried out using a thermal ice rink floor system model integrated into EnergyPlus to determine the energy performance of ice rink facilities under different design and operation conditions. Moreover, an ice rink facility is first simulated using a modified version of EnergyPlus that includes the developed ice rink floor system model. The ice rink facility simulation model is then calibrated using monthly utility data. The calibrated ice rink facility simulation model is used to determine economically optimal insulation levels to be placed beneath an ice rink floor in order to reduce energy use and cost for operating ice rink arenas in selected US climates. Finally, the results of sensitivity analyses are utilized to develop a simplified calculation method to determine optimal ice rink floor insulation level as a function of both climatic and economic parameters.

Energy Saving Operation Strategy of an Existed Indoor Ice Rink

For the problems that operation energy consumption is large, lack of energy saving strategy existed in the speed skating ice rink in Harbin Ice Training Base, field investigation is conducted and the data measured schemes are put forward including the temperature distribution above ice surface in vertical direction, the indoor relative humidity, the refrigeration units power consumption, the inlet and outlet temperature of cooling water etc. Then select the data of general training days and typical match days for comparative analysis. The results show that the running cost of refrigeration units represents a significant proportion of the total running cost; lack of low energy consumption dehumidification method to solve the problem that fog above the ice surface; in winter, using the outdoor cold source can reduce energy consumption of the cooling tower. Based on them, energy saving operation strategy based on outdoor cold source and using the return secondary refrigerant from the ice rink for cooling dehumidification are put forward.

Performance of ice slurry as cooling fluid for an indoor ice rink

A slightly modified version of a previously published model calculating transient heat transfer under the ice of an indoor ice rink is used to evaluate the performance of two cooling fluids, a brine with 20 % calcium chloride (base case) and a calcium chloride ice slurry. Simulations are conducted for a typical meteorological year for Montreal, Canada and take into account heat entering the ice from above as well as surfacing operations and electrical underground heating used to avoid freezing which can damage the concrete slab. The results show that, for the same flow rate (28.5 l/s) and inlet temperature (−9 °C) of the cooling fluid, the ice slurry generates better ice quality (ice surface temperature is more uniform spacewise and less variable with time) but requires more pumping power. Parametric results obtained by decreasing the flow rate or by increasing the inlet temperature of the ice slurry indicate that it is possible to choose either of these operating parameters so that the resulting ice quality is better and the pumping power is lower than for the base case.