Optimization of ventilation parameters for improved air distribution in residential apartments

Abstract

With the increasing prevalence of homeworking, residential thermal environments require further study. The positioning and specifications of the supply air have significant influences on indoor air distribution. Consequently, based on Computational Fluid Dynamics simulation and the entropy weight-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) optimization theory, this study explored the coupling influences of ventilation parameters on the indoor thermal comfort and energy consumption of Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC). The spatial functional attributes could significantly influence the applicability of the air supply modes. For nocturnal sleeping environments, upper-supply and bottom-supply modes are advisable, whereas in diurnal activity environments, the side-supply mode can enhance the occupants’ cooling sensation. Considering the equilibrium between thermal comfort and energy efficiency, the recommended parameters were determined under the sleeping environment are: supply air at 22°C and 1.25 m/s, corresponding to a Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) and a cooling capacity of HVAC (Q_c) of 0.28 and 0.66 kW, respectively. For the activity environment, the preferred conditions were 24°C and 1.50 m/s airflow velocity, and the corresponding PMV was 0.17 and a cooling capacity (Q_c) was 2.65 kW. Consequently, by employing the TOPSIS method, a harmonious balance between thermal comfort and air-conditioning energy consumption can be attained.