Conference Agenda

The primary objective of a building is to provide a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for its occupants. Numerous methods and strategies exist for HVAC systems to ensure indoor air is treated appropriately and hygienically.

One method for evaluating the effectiveness and efficiency of a selected or analyzed HVAC system is through the analysis of ventilation efficiency factors. This study will focus on analyzing building cooling strategies in the perimeter zone, aiming to implement a predominantly laminar airflow. The room will be divided into zones for detailed analysis. The findings from this analysis can be directly applied to the efficient design of air conditioning systems in rooms with heightened comfort requirements and to strategize the distribution of heat gain sources within the room.

The model employed in the CFD analysis will be validated in the laboratory using air flow visualization techniques.

This study investigates the effectiveness of shading air-cooled condensers in enhancing the efficiency of air-conditioning systems. Initially, a baseline model without any shading element is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to establish reference performance metrics. Subsequently, shading elements are introduced, and their length, angle and height relative to the ground are parametrically examined. The design of experiments (DOE) methodology is employed to systematically explore these parameters and identify optimal configurations. Parametric studies are conducted to evaluate the impact of different shading configurations on the condenser’s thermal performance. The effects of the obtained results on the energy efficiency ratio (EER) and cooling capacity are revealed. The effects of shading on EER and device capacity are quantified and graphically represented using the response surface methodology (RSM). These visualizations provide clear insights into the relationship between shading parameters and system performance, facilitating the identification of the most effective shading strategies. This research highlights the potential of shading as a practical and cost-effective approach to increase the efficiency of air-cooled units. The findings will offer valuable guidance for engineers and designers in the HVAC industry, aiming to improve energy efficiency and reduce operational costs in residential and commercial air-conditioning systems.

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems ensure optimal indoor temperature and humidity levels, creating comfortable living and working environments regardless of external weather conditions. This comfort contributes to improved productivity, well-being, and overall quality of life. However, HVAC Systems significantly contributes to global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to the prevalent use of fossil fuels for heating and cooling purposes. The energy consumption of HVAC systems is substantial due to their continuous operation to maintain indoor comfort levels and often contribute significantly to carbon footprints. HVAC systems typically account for approximately 40%-60% of the total energy used in buildings. This percentage can vary depending on factors such as climate, building design, energy efficiency measures, and occupant behavior. Decarbonization in the HVAC industry is imperative for mitigating climate change by reducing or eliminating carbon emissions associated with heating, cooling, and ventilation systems within buildings and intending to create more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient HVAC systems. Reducing the carbon footprint in HVAC buildings and equipment involves adopting energy-efficient practices and sustainable technologies. This paper explores the potential of sustainable HVAC solutions to decarbonize buildings by emphasizing the optimal selection of high-efficiency units and the effective capture and reuse of condensate water. On average, approximately 1 liter of condensate water per hour can be produced per refrigeration ton, depending on ambient and indoor air conditions. The paper emphasizes significant savings in operational costs, estimated at around 60%, based on the optimal selection of high-efficiency air conditioning units and significant reduction in carbon footprint and by utilizing this free water source, facilities can lower freshwater demand, reduce water treatment costs, and cut associated carbon emissions, aligning with broader decarbonization goals. This dual approach aligns with global sustainability goals, making it a critical strategy in the transition towards greener building practices.

This study aims to explore the practical application of a PCM cooling system and examine the impact of its geometric and thermophysical parameters on the thermal behavior and efficiency of PV cells. Using a finite element-based numerical model, the investigation predicts the impact of PCM properties on the thermal performance of the PV system. The thermal analysis accounts for the nonlinear, transient behavior of the problem using hot climate conditions, where temperatures can reach around 50 °C, with cyclic variations in solar irradiation and ambient temperature. By optimizing PCM design variables, such as melting temperature, thermal conductivity, and thickness, PV cell temperatures can be reduced significantly, resulting in an improvement in efficiency and power output. These results indicate that a PCM-based passive cooling system can significantly enhance PV module performance. The integrated model developed provides valuable insights into PV thermal behavior, aiding in the selection of optimal PCM for practical use.