Publication date: May 2015
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 87
Author(s): Eduardo González Cruz , Eduardo Krüger
The purpose of this study is to assess the applicability of an indirect evaporative passive cooling system (IEPCS) in prototypical dwelling modeled for locations across the Brazilian territory. The thermal performance of the IEPCS is analyzed, originally developed for a dwelling located in hot-humid Maracaibo, Venezuela (Vivienda Bioclimática Prototipo – VPB-1). Diverse configuration modes were tested as part of the experimental field study, from which predictive formulas were generated and validated. The paper shows results of the expected thermal performance of the IEPCS for 411 Brazilian cities, which were obtained from the application of predictive formulas to a database consisting of TMY (Typical Meteorological Year) climate files. The efficiency of the passive cooling system was evaluated for each city with regard to its capability in reducing indoor temperatures relative to outdoors as well as Degree-Day percentages above the upper limit of the adaptive comfort zone. Detailed results for four Brazilian locations are also discussed. Results suggest that the system is capable of ensuring thermal comfort conditions for most of the cities evaluated. Average indoor temperatures reached reductions up to 2.5 °C below outdoor conditions; such reductions depend fundamentally on the wet bulb temperature depression. From such results, it is suggested that the IEPCS could have a great applicability in Brazil with a strong potential for improving indoor comfort conditions and, in the case of air-conditioned buildings, also promote a reduction of the energy demand on HVAC.
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 87
Author(s): Eduardo González Cruz , Eduardo Krüger