Evaluation of thermal environment by coupling CFD analysis and wireless-sensor measurements of a full-scale room with cooling system

HVAC systems are utilized to construct a thermally comfortable environment for occupants. As people spend more than 90% of time indoors, thermal conditions of indoor environment constructed by HVAC systems demand precise assessment. Predicted mean vote (PMV), a synthesized index, can reveal thermal conditions by evaluating occupants’ thermal sensations. Four environmental parameters affecting PMV: air temperature, air speed, radiant temperature and relative humidity. This study integrates CFD simulations and wireless-sensor measurements to assess distributions of PMV considering radiation models. The distributions of environmental parameters: velocity, temperature, radiant temperature, inside an office room with fan coil unit (FCU) are firstly presented. Based on these distributions, spatial profiles of PMV are obtained to intuitively illustrate thermal conditions. Combined with experimental database collected by thermal-flow wireless-sensors, CFD simulations offer detailed predictions of indoor airflow and thermal parameters. The mean temperature at occupied zone is 23.3 °C agreeing well with set-point temperature 23 °C. Furthermore, velocity values are below draft sensation limitations. The distribution of PMV indicates the cooling system is capable to construct thermally comfortable environment for occupants as well as the draft sensation conforming the satisfactory status. The research outputs provide useful information for designers of cooling system to build a comfortable indoor environment.