EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION ON ROOM AIR FLOW PATTERN & THERMAL COMFORT QUANTIFICATION

It is well known that indoor environment is an important factor not only for occupants’ comfort as a whole, but also for their health and productivity. Air distribution achieves the acceptable levels of temperature, humidity, cleanliness and air motion in the occupied zone of conditioned area. All this is done in such a manner that the occupant does not experience any draft. Airflow and transport phenomena play an important role in air quality, thermal comfort and energy consumption in buildings. Air movement is one of the six main variables determining human thermal comfort. The present work focuses on the room air flow pattern in terms of temperature and velocity along with thermal comfort quantification by varying clothing index. Room air flow pattern in the two test rooms, University conference hall and RAC (Refrigeration and Air Conditioning) Lab are studied under four conditions; natural, only fan, only AC, fan with AC. Effect of air conditioner position on the room air flow pattern is also studied. Thermal comfort is quantified using standard ASHRAE sensational equation based on the feelings of the four B. Tech students at various clothing index and exposure period. The contour of the flow patterns are plotted using ORIGIN 6.1 software.It is advisable to operate the ceiling fan at moderate speed with air conditioner to get the uniform flow pattern with respect to temperature and velocity which leads to saving in energy. Air flow pattern depends on the location of the air conditioner. Thermal comfort depends on the clothing resistance and activity level.