Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels

Hospitals require the highest energy demands in non-residential buildings. They provide healthcare 24/7/365 and, at the same time, they ensure indoor air quality, thermal comfort and sterility. However, several studies reveal that high indoor temperatures and low relative humidity (RH) are often per...

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Main Authors: Paolo Valdiserri, Silvia Cesari, Maddalena Coccagna, Pasquale Romio, Sante Mazzacane
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2020-12-01
Series:Buildings
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/10/12/235
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author Paolo Valdiserri
Silvia Cesari
Maddalena Coccagna
Pasquale Romio
Sante Mazzacane
author_facet Paolo Valdiserri
Silvia Cesari
Maddalena Coccagna
Pasquale Romio
Sante Mazzacane
author_sort Paolo Valdiserri
collection DOAJ
description Hospitals require the highest energy demands in non-residential buildings. They provide healthcare 24/7/365 and, at the same time, they ensure indoor air quality, thermal comfort and sterility. However, several studies reveal that high indoor temperatures and low relative humidity (RH) are often perceived in patient rooms during the heating season, suggesting an important energy saving potential. Against this background, radiant ceiling panel (RCP) systems result to be one of the most appropriate solutions as they allow to achieve significant energy savings while providing the highest level of thermal and acoustic comfort, as well as of infection control. In the present study the microclimatic survey of a patient room at Maggiore Hospital in Bologna, Italy, equipped with an air conditioning system integrated with RCP, has reported occupant thermal discomfort. Experimental data were used to calibrate a building model and dynamic building energy simulations were carried out to analyse indoor air temperature, relative humidity, predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) indexes under different inlet air temperatures, to identify the best design conditions for energy efficiency and thermal comfort improvement. It was found that the highest advantages can be obtained when neutral air is supplied.
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spelling doaj.art-500ed272e9d44f58869e5a951a3af6d02023-11-21T00:17:55ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092020-12-01101223510.3390/buildings10120235Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling PanelsPaolo Valdiserri0Silvia Cesari1Maddalena Coccagna2Pasquale Romio3Sante Mazzacane4Department of Industrial Engineering, Alma Mater Studiorum-University of Bologna, 40136 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, ItalyCIAS Research Center for Pollution Control in High Sterility Rooms, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyAUSL Bologna, Via Altura 7, 40139 Bologna, ItalyCIAS Research Center for Pollution Control in High Sterility Rooms, Department of Architecture, University of Ferrara, 44122 Ferrara, ItalyHospitals require the highest energy demands in non-residential buildings. They provide healthcare 24/7/365 and, at the same time, they ensure indoor air quality, thermal comfort and sterility. However, several studies reveal that high indoor temperatures and low relative humidity (RH) are often perceived in patient rooms during the heating season, suggesting an important energy saving potential. Against this background, radiant ceiling panel (RCP) systems result to be one of the most appropriate solutions as they allow to achieve significant energy savings while providing the highest level of thermal and acoustic comfort, as well as of infection control. In the present study the microclimatic survey of a patient room at Maggiore Hospital in Bologna, Italy, equipped with an air conditioning system integrated with RCP, has reported occupant thermal discomfort. Experimental data were used to calibrate a building model and dynamic building energy simulations were carried out to analyse indoor air temperature, relative humidity, predicted mean vote (PMV) and predicted percentage of dissatisfied (PPD) indexes under different inlet air temperatures, to identify the best design conditions for energy efficiency and thermal comfort improvement. It was found that the highest advantages can be obtained when neutral air is supplied.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/10/12/235radiant ceiling panelhospital patient roommicroclimatic monitoringthermal comfortPMVPPD
spellingShingle Paolo Valdiserri
Silvia Cesari
Maddalena Coccagna
Pasquale Romio
Sante Mazzacane
Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
Buildings
radiant ceiling panel
hospital patient room
microclimatic monitoring
thermal comfort
PMV
PPD
title Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
title_full Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
title_fullStr Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
title_full_unstemmed Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
title_short Experimental Data and Simulations of Performance and Thermal Comfort in a Patient Room Equipped with Radiant Ceiling Panels
title_sort experimental data and simulations of performance and thermal comfort in a patient room equipped with radiant ceiling panels
topic radiant ceiling panel
hospital patient room
microclimatic monitoring
thermal comfort
PMV
PPD
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/10/12/235
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