Relative Humidity Measurements Research Articles

Modelling of Carbon Monoxide and Suspended Particulate Matter Concentrations in a Rural Area Using Artificial Neural Networks

Air pollution is a growing concern in rural areas where agricultural production can be reduced by it. This article analyses data obtained as part of a research project. The aim of this study is to understand the influence of atmospheric pressure, air temperature, air relative humidity, longitude and latitude of the location, and indoor and outdoor environment on local rural workplace diversity of air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO) and suspended particulate matter (SPM), as well as the contribution of these variables to changes in such air pollutants. The focus is on four topics: motivation, innovation and creativity, leadership, and social responsibility. Furthermore, this study developed an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict CO and SPM concentrations in the air based on data collected from the mentioned inputs. The related sensors were assembled on an Arduino Mega 2560 board to form a field-portable device to detect air pollutants and meteorological parameters. The sensors included an MQ7 sensor for CO concentration measurement, a Sharp GP2Y1010AU0F dust sensor for SPM concentration measurement, a DHT11 sensor for air temperature and air relative humidity measurement, and a BMP180 sensor for air pressure measurements. The longitude and latitude of the location were measured using a smartphone. Measurements were conducted from 20 December 2021 to 16 July 2022. Results showed that the overall average outdoor CO and SPM concentrations were 10.97 ppm and 231.14 μg/m3 air, respectively. The overall average indoor concentrations were 12.21 ppm and 233.91 μg/m3 air for CO and SPM, respectively. Results showed that the ANN model demonstrated acceptable performance in predicting CO and SPM in both the training and testing phases, exhibiting a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.575, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 1.490 ppm, and a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.994 ppm for CO concentrations when applying the testing dataset. For SPM concentrations, the R2, RMSE, and MAE using the test dataset were 0.497, 30.301 μg/m3 air, and 23.889 μg/m3 air, respectively. The most influential input variable was air pressure, with contribution rates of 22.88% and 22.82% in predicting CO and SPM concentrations, respectively. The acceptable performance of the developed ANN model provides potential advances in air quality management and agricultural planning, enabling a more accurate and informed decision-making process regarding air pollution. The results of short-term estimation of CO and SPM concentrations suggest that the accuracy of the ANN model needs to be improved through more comprehensive data collection or advanced machine learning algorithms to improve the prediction results of these two air pollutants. Moreover, as even lower cost devices can predict CO and SPM concentrations, this study could lead to the development some kind of virtual sensor, as other air pollutants can be estimated from measurements of particulate matters.

Microclimate of Brown Bear (Ursus arctos L.) Dens and Denning Area.

The aim of this study was to determine the microclimate of brown bear dens depending on their size, their status (active or inactive), and the location of the den. The study included five dens of different sizes and locations in the Velebit Mountains, in the Dinaric Alps. The measurements of air temperature (°C) and relative humidity (%) in dens and the forest stands were carried out over 182 days. The absolute minimum air temperature in inactive dens was between -2.88 °C and -0.38 °C and belonged to the dens with shorter tunnels and without chambers. The exception was inactive den 1, which was situated in a thermophilic forest. No negative absolute minimum air temperatures were recorded in active dens. The absolute minimum air temperatures in the forest stands were lower than in the dens. The relative humidity was significantly higher in all dens than in the forest stands. Dens with a large entrance opening and a short tunnel were strongly influenced by the local microclimate of the forest stand. The greatest temperature difference (den-forest) was between elongated dens with chambers and the associated forest stand, while the smallest temperature differences occurred in dens with a short tunnel, without a chamber, and at the northern exposure. The greatest differences in relative humidity (den-forest) were found in dens with chambers. The den temperatures correlated with the air temperatures in the forest stands.

Indoor Environment in Kindergartens Located in the North of Portugal: Evaluation of Thermal Comfort and Carbon Dioxide Concentration

Adequate school buildings are essential for the development of children, young people, and adolescents, as they must provide conditions that support their well-being and health. A healthy and comfortable indoor environment is critical for students’ performance in the learning process. This study aims to evaluate the indoor environment in kindergartens located in northern Portugal, with a primary focus on thermal comfort and indoor air quality. To achieve this, five buildings with varying construction characteristics were monitored, with temperature and relative humidity measurements taken in classrooms of different orientations over time. Additionally, the outdoor climate was also monitored. Based on the collected data, thermal comfort was evaluated using the adaptive model defined by the European standard EN 16798. Continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide concentration was also conducted in three of these buildings. The results reveal significant heterogeneity among the buildings, demonstrating the influence of construction characteristics on the interior thermal conditions. The recorded temperatures ranged from 10 °C to 27 °C, highlighting a substantial variability in performance across the different buildings. Particularly, the orientation and size of glazed openings, together with the lack of thermal insulation in the building envelope, especially in the roof, were found to have an important impact on the thermal comfort of the occupants. Furthermore, a relationship was observed between the daily maximum carbon dioxide concentration and the outdoor temperature, as a result of users’ efforts to minimize uncontrolled air infiltration, by limiting the opening of doors and windows, with consequences in the air exchange between the interior and exterior.

Energy retrofits: Factors affecting a just transition to better indoor air quality

In comparison with other European countries, Ireland has a disproportionately high number of poorly performing energy-inefficient buildings. Consequently, Ireland has one of the most ambitious energy retrofit programmes in Europe. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of deep energy renovation measures i.e. (replacement of heating system and upgrade to building envelope) on indoor air quality, thermal comfort and ventilation in a sample of primarily social housing in Ireland. A mixed methods approach including measurement of indoor air quality and a thermal comfort questionnaire survey was employed. Indoor concentration measurements of PM2.5, carbon dioxide, formaldehyde, and radon along with measurements of air temperature and relative humidity were made (N=14). Occupants (n=56) completed a thermal comfort questionnaire survey pre- and post-retrofit. Data collection ran from autumn 2020 until autumn 2023.Thermal comfort improved post-retrofit along with occupant satisfaction with the indoor thermal environment and heating-systems. Post-retrofit, higher bedroom CO2, and higher PM2.5 concentrations were recorded in both living areas and bedrooms. Occupant behaviours e.g. blocking wall vents were significant predictors of poorer ventilation while smoking indoors was related to higher concentrations of PM2.5. In general, homes that had mechanical ventilation systems installed were better ventilated. Underventilation, as indicated by visible condensation or mould was observed in half of the social homes surveyed and reported by questionnaire respondents (26 %). Tailored communications to occupants regarding the important role of ventilation and indoor air quality is required as part of retrofit to optimise impacts on IEQ.

An Empirical Parameterization of the Subgrid‐Scale Distribution of Water Vapor in the UTLS for Atmospheric General Circulation Models

AbstractTemperature and water vapor are known to fluctuate on multiple scales. In this study 27 years of airborne measurements of temperature and relative humidity from In‐service Aircraft for a Global Observing System (IAGOS) are used to parameterize the distribution of water vapor in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The parameterization is designed to simulate water vapor fluctuations within gridboxes of atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) with typical size of a few tens to a few hundred kilometers. The distributions currently used in such models are often not supported by observations at high altitude. More sophisticated distributions are key to represent ice supersaturation, a physical phenomenon that plays a major role in the formation of natural cirrus and contrail cirrus. Here the observed distributions are fitted with a beta law whose parameters are adjusted from the gridbox mean variables. More specifically the standard deviation and skewness of the distributions are expressed as empirical functions of the average temperature and specific humidity, two typical prognostic variables of AGCMs. Thus, the distribution of water vapor is fully parameterized for a use in these models. The new parameterization reproduces the observed distributions with a determination coefficient always greater than 0.917 and with a mean value of 0.997. The parameterization is robust to a selection of various geographical subsets of data and to gridbox sizes varying between 25 and 300 km.

Assessment of Relative Humidity Measurements from INSAT–3D/3DR Sounder with Radiosonde and Satellite Measurements over India

Assessment of Relative Humidity Measurements from INSAT–3D/3DR Sounder with Radiosonde and Satellite Measurements over India

Performance Analysis of Tropospheric Radio Refractivity along with Refractivity Gradient and Effective Earth Radius in the Coastal Zone of Nigeria

Study’s Excerpt Analysis of the variability in tropospheric radio refractivity in Ogoja and Warri, Nigeria, was carried out by examining a 42-year dataset (1981-2022) of meteorological factors obtained from NASA. The contributions of dry and wet terms to radio refractivity variations were identified and key parameters such as refractivity gradients and the effective earth radius (k-factor) for both locations were evaluated. The radio wave propagation in the region is lowest during the dry season. Full Abstract Radio refractivity is the ratio of the velocity of radio waves in a specific medium to that in free space. Radio waves propagate according to variations in tropospheric radio refractive index. This study used the refractive index and other pertinent meteorological factors to calculate the radio refractivity of the seasonal troposphere and analyse its variability with monthly temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure measurements that were collected from the National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) for Ogoja and Warri over a forty-two-year period (1981 to 2022). We looked at the proportion contributions of the dry and wet term radio refractivity, the refractivity gradient, and the effective earth radius. The outcome signified that in the two locations, radio refractivity values were lowest for the dry season and highest during the rainy season. For Ogoja and Warri, the highest and lowest average radio refractivity values recorded in the wet and dry seasons are, respectively, 382.9085 N-units in May, 346.4311 N-units in January, and 390.9042 N-units in April, 370.3009 N-units in January. For Ogoja and Warri, the wet term (Nwet) provides 31.5210 % and 30.1793%, respectively, to the primary variation in radio refractivity's overall value, whereas the dry term (Ndry) adds up to 69.8207 % and 68.4790 %. Mean refractivity gradients of -43.8326 and -44.5326 N-units/km were found in the subject areas under examination. Furthermore, it was discovered that the mean effective earth radius (k-factor) for Warri and Ogoja were 1.3959 and 1.3873, respectively. The values provided represent the propagation conditions of superrefraction.

A Real-World Analysis of Weather Variation on Disease Activity and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Psoriatic Arthritis.

Patients with inflammatory articular diseases, such as psoriatic arthritis (PsA), report weather changes in their symptoms. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between weather variation, disease activity (DA), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with PsA. Hourly measurements of temperature, relative humidity, and pressure were obtained from 2015 to 2020 in Montreal (through Environment Canada) and were matched with DA and PROs of patients with PsA enrolled in Rhumadata. The differences in mean DA and PROs were examined between winter and summer. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between clinical profile and weather measurements. Among patients with PsA, 2665 PROs were collected for a total of 858 patients. The Clinical Disease Activity Index (P = 0.001) and Simplified Disease Activity Index (P < 0.001) were lower in winter. In summer, positive correlations were found between humidity and symptoms (using patient global assessment, fatigue, pain, C-reactive protein, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index), whereas negative correlations between temperature and Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index were reported. In winter, positive correlations were observed between temperature, fatigue, and pain. This is the first study to investigate weather variations through subjective and objective PROs matched with patients with PsA. Statistically significant differences in clinical profile were evident between winter and summer, as well as in their correlation with weather measurements. However, these distinctions lack clinical significance, suggesting a small impact on patients with PsA.

Construction and Preparation of the Novel ADN/CL-20 Cocrystal via Directional Hydrogen Bonding Design for Turning Hygroscopicity.

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN), as a novel and environmentally friendly oxidizer, has strong hygroscopicity when exposed to high-humidity air, which seriously hinders its application in solid propellants. Modification of oxidizers by cocrystallization is an effective strategy to improve the hygroscopicity of energetic components. In this paper, the theoretical simulation of ADN/CL-20 cocrystals was developed via a directional hydrogen bonding design to establish a cocrystal with improved hygroscopicity. Intermolecular interaction analyses reveal that hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions synergistically lead to the formation of cocrystals. The ADN/CL-20 cocrystal was prepared experimentally by the spray drying self-assembly technique, and the corresponding thermal analysis and sensitivity properties were conducted to illustrate the thermal stability and high safety. Furthermore, the critical relative humidity (CRH) measurement was carried out to evaluate the hygroscopicity of the cocrystal, exhibiting a certain degree of antihygroscopic effect with a CRH of 65%. The hydrogen bonds formed between ADN and CL-20 saturate the ammonium ions of ADN, further preventing ADN from absorbing water molecules in the air. The ADN/CL-20 cocrystal has high specific impulse characteristics (Isp: 272.6 s). Accordingly, this work clearly demonstrates that the ADN/CL-20 cocrystal is expected to be used in a solid propellant to make up for the deficiency of the ADN oxidizer.

High-Performance Humidity Sensor Capable for Monitoring Low-Moisture Levels in Energy Industries

Humidity sensors are extensively used in industrial processing and environmental control. There are two categories of humidity sensors: High-humidity (relative humidity) measurement and Low-humidity (moisture) measurement. The proper units for low-humidity measurement are dew point and parts per million in volume (ppmv) or parts per billion in volume (ppbv). It is very important to monitor moisture levels in natural gas during processing and transportation in pipelines. It is of critical importance to monitor moisture levels in lithium-ion battery manufacturing. In these cases, the moisture levels are limited to be less than -50°C dew point or 40 ppmv. The conventional relative humidity sensors cannot be used because of their low sensitivity. The dew point sensors on the market are polymer-based and gamma-phase-alumina based. The polymer-based sensors have low sensitivity, which can only accurately detect moisture levels of -60°C dew point and higher. The gamma-phase alumina sensors suffer from long-term drift due to phase change.We present novel high-performance humidity sensors based on porous alpha-phase alumina and silicon dioxide nanostructures, which are capable of detecting moisture levels as low as -100°C dew point or 13 ppbv with excellent long-term stability. The porous alpha-phase alumina films were produced by anodic-spark-deposition on aluminum substrates in which electric sparks were produced due to high-voltage anodization (>120V). Local high-temperature (about 2200°C) at the points of sparks converted the amorphous alumina into alpha-phase alumina (Sapphire). It provides an extremely stable structure for humidity sensors. Hydrophilic silicon dioxide films deposited by atomic layer deposition was used as sensing materials. The sensors’ sensitivity, temperature coefficient, response speed, and long-term stability were studied in details. The sensors have great promise for monitoring moisture levels in natural gas industry and lithium-ion battery manufacturing.

Potential multi-parametric OFDR system based on the wavelength-division cross-correlation method

In this study, an optical frequency domain reflectometer (OFDR) system for simultaneous measurement of temperature, strain, and relative humidity (RH) based on the wavelength-division cross-correlation method is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The Rayleigh scattered spectrum shifts introduced by environmental changes can be demodulated by the cross-correlation operation, and the magnitude of the shifts exhibits variability in distinct wavelength subregions. Leveraging the distinct sensitivity characteristics of different parameters across different wavelength subregions, simultaneous multi-parameter decoupling can be achieved. In the signal processing flow, the frequency domain signals in different wavelength subregions are intercepted, and then the cross-correlation operation is performed separately to obtain the spectrum shift information in different wavelength subregions. The decoupling matrix is constructed to realize the decoupling of the three parameters based on the sensitivity differences of temperature, strain, and RH in different wavelength subregions. This novel and simple multi-parameter sensing system, to the best of our knowledge, has potential applications in engineering monitoring, chemical applications, and environmental measurements.

Miniature fiber optic SPR high sensitivity humidity sensor based on coated polyvinyl alcohol film

For the measurement of relative humidity, this study employed Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) technology, a sensor with a micro-conical fiber structure (sensing length is only 375 μm) was combined with Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) to create a humidity sensor that is highly sensitive, compact, dense, and exhibits good linearity. The humidity sensor is based on a gold film (thickness of about 40 nm) on the surface of the miniature fiber optic structure, and by applying PVA coating, the SPR humidity sensor shows resonance peaks in the transmission spectrum in ambient air, and as the number of layers of PVA coating (thickness) is added, the resonance peaks’ positions are red-shifted. The experimental findings demonstrated that this SPR humidity sensor’s sensitivity was 0.162 nm/%RH at an initial resonance wavelength of about 550 nm (one layer) and about 1.542 nm/%RH at an initial resonance wavelength of 656 nm (five layers) in the range of 46 %RH to 93 %RH. The wavelength and the relative humidity had a good linear connection. Temperature tests revealed the sensor has a −0.152 nm/°C temperature sensitivity between 20 °C and 50 °C and has a high linearity (0.999). Therefore, the sensor has potential applications in humidity measurement.

Emergence of Internet of Things technology in food and agricultural sector: A review

AbstractFood processing is an indispensable sector crucial for controlling the food losses. Discrete measures were introduced and implemented to enhance the food shelf life and preservation techniques. However, poor handling and preservation methods usher to the food deprivation. In such milieu, amalgamation of futuristic technologies like sophisticated sensors tether with Internet of Things (IoT) could shoot up the food safety and minimize the deprivation. Research across the globe have proved that integration of IoT‐smart sensors in scrutinizing ecological factors such as temperature, radiation, gaseous composition, relative humidity, and moisture content that are critical for food processing and preservation. IoT has the prospects to ameliorate nationwide explicable execution, slash energy depletion, slash manufacturing expenses, inflate worker health and safety during food processing unit. Smart agricultural techniques also enable measurement of temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture, and nitrogen contents in smart farming and helps the user to determine the status of crops and commodity. This article aims to focus a few aspects and budding areas of IoT in the food and agricultural sectors. With this outlook, advancement and smartness in agriculture and food processing can be created by collaborating with IoT technology.

Simultaneous Measurement of Relative Humidity and Temperature Based on a Core-offset Fabry–Perot Interferometer Cascaded by a Fiber Bragg Grating

Simultaneous Measurement of Relative Humidity and Temperature Based on a Core-offset Fabry–Perot Interferometer Cascaded by a Fiber Bragg Grating

Sound absorption uncertainty in small reverberation chambers

Manufacturers in the mobility industry typically measure and specify the sound absorption coefficient of materials using a small reverberation chamber according to SAE J2883. These chambers have a 6 to 25 cubic meter volume, use a 1.0 meter x 1.2 meter sample size and report sound absorption in the one-third octave bands from about 400 Hz to 10,000 Hz. This is in contrast to a full-size chamber built to satisfy the requirements of ASTM C423 or ISO 354, which have about a 200 cubic meter volume, use a 2.4 x 2.7 or 3.2 x 3.2 square meter sample size and report sound absorption in one-third octave bands from 100 to 5,000 Hz. Although the room and sample size dimensions scale, many of the factors that contribute to uncertainty in the measurement do not scale. These include relative humidity, temperature, and other physical measurements and if the same instrumentation is used, microphone calibration and measurement uncertainty in the higher frequency range. This paper examines the potential measurement uncertainty in these chambers over the 400 to 10,000 Hz frequency range and compares this to past uncertainty analyses of full-size chambers over a similar frequency range.

A Micro Capacitive Humidity Sensor Based on Al-Mo Electrodes and Polyimide Film.

Quickly sensing humidity changes is required in some fields, such as in fuel cell vehicles. The micro humidity sensor used for the relative humidity (RH) measurement with fast response characteristics, and its numerical model and method are rare. This paper firstly presents a numerical model and method for a parallel plate capacitor and a numerical analysis of its dynamic characteristics. The fabrication of this sensor was carried out based on the numerical results, and, the main characteristics of its moisture-sensitive element are shown. This parallel plate capacitor is made using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible technology, with a P-type monocrystalline silicon wafer used as the substrate, a thin polyimide film (PI) between the upper grid electrode and the lower parallel plate electrode, and electrodes with a molybdenum-aluminum bilayer structure. The shape of the micro sensor is square with 3 mm on the side of the source field. The humidity sensor has a linearity of 0.9965, hysteresis at 7.408% RH, and a sensitivity of 0.4264 pF/%RH. The sensor displays an average adsorption time of 1 s and a minimum adsorption time of 850 ms when the relative humidity increases from 33.2% RH to 75.8% RH. The sensor demonstrates very good stability during a 240 h test in a 25 °C environment. The numerical model and method provided by this study are very useful for predicting the performance of a parallel plate capacitor.

Nanocellulose-Based Resistive Sensors for Air Humidity Measurements

Introduction. The measurement of relative air humidity plays a crucial role in various aspects of human life, such as climate control systems, medical breath and skin hydration monitoring. Typically, humidity sensors use inorganic materials and petroleum-derived polymers. However, there is a growing trend towards the transition to biodegradable materials, which eliminates the need for waste disposal.Problem Statement. Currently, nanocellulose (NC) has been being explored as a promising material for humidity sensors. However, the influence of the chemical composition and nanoparticle size of NC on the sensor characteristics remains understudied.Purpose. This study aims to investigate the influence of the chemical composition and structure of NC on the parameters of humidity sensors.Materials and Methods. NC has been synthesized from reed stalks and wheat straw bz the oxidation and acid hydrolysis methods. NC-film sensors having a mass within 0.3—3 mg have been fabricated. The static parameters (response, sensitivity, reversibility, and repeatability) and the dynamic parameters (short and long-term stability, response and recovery time) of the sensors have been analyzed.Results. The manufacturing method influences the NC chemical composition, while the origin material affects its structure. The sensors produced by the oxidation method have demonstrated improved sensitivity (2.69 · 106), response (0.2 (%RH)–1), recovery time (60 s) and long-term stability (1.44%) as compared with those made by the hydrolysis method. Additionally, the application of wheat straw NC as origin material has resulted in improved reversibility (5%), repeatability (5% deviation), short-term stability (30% deviation), and response time (1 s) as compared with the reed stalks NC.Conclusions. It has been established that the origin material of nanocellulose influences the reversibility, repeatability, response time, and short-term stability of the sensors. The manufacturing method has effect on the sensitivity, response, recovery time, and long-term stability of the sensors.

Moisture Safety in Prefabricated Roof Renovations: Causes and Strategies

Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 requires extensive energy renovation of the existing building stock. In this study we focus on deep renovation with prefabricated insulation elements as a potential solution to attain the required renovation speed and volume. The use of such elements without a proper moisture safety strategy can, however, lead to moisture-related problems, including mould growth. Here we examine the causes of moisture and mould damage in a case study of a building that has been renovated to near-zero energy standards using prefabricated insulation elements. The study elucidates the reasons for the moisture damages detected and proposes two moisture safety strategies to improve the situation. The first strategy emphasizes the importance of ensuring dry construction conditions by either using a full temporary roof or avoiding rainfall during installation. The second strategy addresses localized water damage to the attic floor and involves the use of protective measures, active ventilation and a correct installation sequence. In the case of local moisture damage, the required amount of ventilation air flow during summer is 0.5–0.55 l/(s·m²). During cooler periods, heating is needed. The employed methods include modelling the case-study building with the IDA Indoor Climate and Energy software, as well as mould growth risk assessment based on temperature and relative humidity measurements. The results highlight the effectiveness of both strategies in preventing mould growth if applied correctly, and emphasize the need for thorough planning, moisture safety regulations and rapid response to ensure successful renovation with prefabricated insulation units. The study provides valuable information on moisture safety strategies for serial renovations with prefabricated elements. The existence and proper implementation of a moisture safety strategy is important for achieving the desired energy performance goals while maintaining building durability and occupant health, and it needs to be applied throughout the chain of site management: from the main contractor down to the skilled worker.

Assessment of the impact of interior insulation on exterior walls in three Swedish buildings – based on validated models

This project evaluates the impact of interior insulation on external walls in three Swedish heritage buildings. Field measurements and hygrothermal simulations were conducted to assess available solutions. Measurements of temperature and relative humidity were taken both indoors and outdoors, as well as on the exterior and interior surfaces of the walls. The accuracy of simulation standards for indoor air temperature and relative humidity was evaluated, and the findings indicate that current simulation standards can serve as reliable alternatives when on-site measurements are not feasible. Validated models were used to analyze the impact of 13 different interior insulation solutions, including vapor-tight and open options, some of which were capillary active. The results highlight that the risk of moisture damage depends on the design of the existing external wall and indicate the importance of hydrophobic treatment in mitigating risks. Thinner amounts of interior insulation can significantly reduce transmission losses without compromising moisture performance. Overall, all the assessed external walls can be safely insulated from the interior, although hydrophobic treatment is recommended for optimal results. This research provides practical insights for decision-making in simulation approaches and optimizing insulation strategies to enhance the performance and durability of external walls in building projects.

The influence of air movement in providing thermal comfort in naturally ventilated old Mosque Gunong Kleng, West Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract Mosques were created to fulfill the needs of Muslims in prayer, therefore thermal comfort is critical to consider so that the congregation is comfortable and can focus and feel at home while praying. The typology of ancient mosques reflects the community’s traditions and culture, as well as local knowledge values. Natural ventilation, which acts as a natural air exchange mechanism, is one facet of thermal comfort. The Gunong Kleng Mosque, founded in 1927, is one of West Aceh Regency’s ancient mosques. However, design adjustments have been made, such as the installation of wooden boards to on terraced roof. The air flow from the building’s roof is blocked, resulting in inefficient air exchange. The goal of this study is to determine thermal performance and the effect of air movement on thermal comfort at the Old Gunong Kleng Mosque. This study employed a quantitative approach using field measurements of air temperature, relative humidity, and air velocity. An anemometer and a USB data logger were utilized to collect data. Field measurements revealed that ET comfort in the mosque was 78% too hot, 16% warm comfortable, and 6% for optimal comfort. Ansys Fluet simulation with two types of situations was used to forecast air speed, demonstrating that changes in the design of the stepped roof had a significant impact on the air speed within the mosque. When opposed to an open roof, a closed roof slightly lowered the ambient temperature in the prayer room.