Influence of the Location of a Convector on the Distribution of the Room Temperature

Authors

O. S. Tsakanyan, A. Podgorny Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems of NASU (2/10, Pozharsky str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine)
S. V. Koshel, A. Podgorny Institute of Mechanical Engineering Problems of NASU (2/10, Pozharsky str., Kharkiv, 61046, Ukraine), e-mail: koshel@nas.gov.ua

Abstract

This article considers the influence of various options of placing heaters in a room on energy efficiency, and creating a comfortable temperature field for people to stay in. For the research, a square room with an inclined roof was chosen, having light apertures of various sizes on three sides. To compare the results of modeling the thermal state of premises, two types of heaters of the same power are considered: a convector and a warm floor. Five options of using space heating devices were analyzed, of which the first three meant placing the convector against different walls, the fourth one meant placing the convector in the center on the floor, and the fifth option was the model of warm floor with a uniform heat flow density over the floor surface. Two criteria were chosen for assessing the variants of the results of modeling thermal states: the criterion of energy efficiency, characterized by the average room air temperature, and the criterion of non-uniform distribution of air temperature at a height of 1.3 m above the floor level. As a result of the research, it was found out that in a room with a convector placed on the floor in the middle of the room, the maximum average air temperature is observed. This indicates about a convector being the most energy effective option of heating a room. This option is also characterized by a good uniformity of the temperature field at a height of 1.3 m above the floor. However, the expediency of placing the convector in this way is doubtful, since it will occupy a useful place in the room. Therefore, a convector placed against a window was chosen as an optimal option. As far as energy efficiency is concerned, for this option it just 0.4 percent  poorer than for the option with the convector placed on the floor in the middle of the room, while the temperature distribution at a height of 1.3 m is almost uniform due to good air mixing. Installing screens behind a heater will enable one to increase the room temperature and reduce heat losses.

Keywords: convector; room; energy efficiency; comfort

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References

1. Tabunshchikov, Yu. A. & Brodach, M. M. (2006). Experimental studies of optimal control of energy consumption. Ventilation, heating, air conditioning, heat supply and construction thermal physics, no.1, pp. 32–39 (in Russian).
2. Tsakanyan, O. S., Koshel, S. V., & Tsakanyan, S. O. (2009). Management of heat energy consumption during room heating. Plumbing, Heating, Conditioning, no. 6, pp. 38–45 (in Russian).

Received 02 February 2018

Published 30 March 2018