Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study
The draft caused by convective air-conditioning is a primary contributor to thermal discomfort, particularly in localized cooling scenarios. While radiant systems offer a windless alternative, their condensation risks and maintenance costs bring concerns. In response, our research proposes an air-ba...
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| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2024-06-01
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| Series: | Indoor Environments |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950362024000146 |
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| author | Shaoyu Sheng Toshio Yamanaka Tomohiro Kobayashi Narae Choi Shuji Yodono |
| author_facet | Shaoyu Sheng Toshio Yamanaka Tomohiro Kobayashi Narae Choi Shuji Yodono |
| author_sort | Shaoyu Sheng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The draft caused by convective air-conditioning is a primary contributor to thermal discomfort, particularly in localized cooling scenarios. While radiant systems offer a windless alternative, their condensation risks and maintenance costs bring concerns. In response, our research proposes an air-based radiation-convection hybrid system that’s draft-free and easy to implement. By suspending a breathable, flexible, textile-based membrane beneath the ceiling, the system mitigates drafts from ceiling-mounted air conditioners and leverages the membrane’s vast surface area for radiation. This work is an exploratory study focused on a retrofit split membrane system laying below the commercially packaged air conditioner (PAC). Three independent experimental studies were conducted. The first is a full-scale experiment assessing the membrane’s impact on PAC system operation and heat load management. The second is fundamental research to determine the permeation and airflow deceleration properties of different membranes. The third is a practical assessment in a self-study room retrofitted with the split membrane, aiming to determine the possibility of maintaining draft-free conditions. Results indicate that membranes with high laying ratios risk airflow short-circuiting. It can be reduced by adjusting the laying ratios and altering the laying pattern of the membrane, which also improves perimeter heat load management. Moreover, the permeation characteristics of various membrane materials were examined through flow and velocity attenuation coefficients. Besides material considerations, preliminary observations suggest that the membrane’s curvature could influence its permeation. Furthermore, the temperature and velocity data preliminarily affirmed the anti-draft performance of the split membrane ceiling system. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-72dbfc931ed34c1caf3dac842dff4045 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2950-3620 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indoor Environments |
| spelling | doaj-art-72dbfc931ed34c1caf3dac842dff40452025-08-20T02:02:58ZengElsevierIndoor Environments2950-36202024-06-011210001710.1016/j.indenv.2024.100017Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory studyShaoyu Sheng0Toshio Yamanaka1Tomohiro Kobayashi2Narae Choi3Shuji Yodono4Department of Architectural Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan; Corresponding author.Department of Architectural Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanDepartment of Architectural Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Osaka University, 2-1 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, JapanDepartment of Architecture, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Toyo University, 2100-2, Kujirai, Kawagoe, Saitama 350-8585, JapanMitsubishi Jisho Design, 2-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0005, JapanThe draft caused by convective air-conditioning is a primary contributor to thermal discomfort, particularly in localized cooling scenarios. While radiant systems offer a windless alternative, their condensation risks and maintenance costs bring concerns. In response, our research proposes an air-based radiation-convection hybrid system that’s draft-free and easy to implement. By suspending a breathable, flexible, textile-based membrane beneath the ceiling, the system mitigates drafts from ceiling-mounted air conditioners and leverages the membrane’s vast surface area for radiation. This work is an exploratory study focused on a retrofit split membrane system laying below the commercially packaged air conditioner (PAC). Three independent experimental studies were conducted. The first is a full-scale experiment assessing the membrane’s impact on PAC system operation and heat load management. The second is fundamental research to determine the permeation and airflow deceleration properties of different membranes. The third is a practical assessment in a self-study room retrofitted with the split membrane, aiming to determine the possibility of maintaining draft-free conditions. Results indicate that membranes with high laying ratios risk airflow short-circuiting. It can be reduced by adjusting the laying ratios and altering the laying pattern of the membrane, which also improves perimeter heat load management. Moreover, the permeation characteristics of various membrane materials were examined through flow and velocity attenuation coefficients. Besides material considerations, preliminary observations suggest that the membrane’s curvature could influence its permeation. Furthermore, the temperature and velocity data preliminarily affirmed the anti-draft performance of the split membrane ceiling system.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950362024000146Membrane ceilingDraft-freeRadiation-convection systemExperimental studyExploratory study |
| spellingShingle | Shaoyu Sheng Toshio Yamanaka Tomohiro Kobayashi Narae Choi Shuji Yodono Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study Indoor Environments Membrane ceiling Draft-free Radiation-convection system Experimental study Exploratory study |
| title | Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study |
| title_full | Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study |
| title_fullStr | Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study |
| title_short | Draft-free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system: An exploratory study |
| title_sort | draft free air conditioning through split membrane ceiling system an exploratory study |
| topic | Membrane ceiling Draft-free Radiation-convection system Experimental study Exploratory study |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950362024000146 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shaoyusheng draftfreeairconditioningthroughsplitmembraneceilingsystemanexploratorystudy AT toshioyamanaka draftfreeairconditioningthroughsplitmembraneceilingsystemanexploratorystudy AT tomohirokobayashi draftfreeairconditioningthroughsplitmembraneceilingsystemanexploratorystudy AT naraechoi draftfreeairconditioningthroughsplitmembraneceilingsystemanexploratorystudy AT shujiyodono draftfreeairconditioningthroughsplitmembraneceilingsystemanexploratorystudy |