The applicability of displacement ventilation for individual control of a microclimate

Abstract

This paper introduces the desk displacement ventilation concept, which combines displacement ventilation with task conditioning. The experimental setup and results of full-scale steady-state and transient measurements and numerical simulations are described for a typical office configuration. Results are used to evaluate the concept with regard to the micro/macroclimate and thermal comfort. The steady-state results show that the separation between the micro- and macroclimate, which is characteristic of task conditioning, is less pronounced and may require improvement of the concept. This effect is investigated further via transient experiments. Results of the transient study show that the application of the displacement ventilation principle for task conditioning purposes is not suitable for standard office configurations. It should at least be supported by an additional system that introduces the air at higher velocity close to the occupant, of which several system types are already available today.</p