RP-978 -- Interaction of Room Air Motion and the Human Body in Confined Spaces

This research is needed to develop models of air motion in confined spaces. These models will in turn be used for the design of diffusers, for determining air inlet and exhaust locations, and for studying air quality and contaminant transport in confined/high density environments. Aircraft manufacturers and operators (airlines) are in particular need of this information. Use will not be limited to this particular group, however, as it will also be of use in any application where there are high occupant densities in confined spaces. The objective of this research project is to check the allowable air speed limits to avoid draft prescribed in the standard 55-1992 when people are inside the summer comfort zone, investigate whether stated preferences for higher air velocities found in recent ASHRAE field studies can be verified when people are exposed to such higher velocities under controlled conditions, and verify whether combinations of elevated temperatures and air velocities, as described in Figure 3 of Standard 55-92, are subjectively acceptable. Also, compare comfort responses to such combinations with those achieved with low velocity and moderate temperatures within the Standard 55-1992s summer comfort zone.

Principal Investigator: Byron W. Jones, Kansas State University

Conducted: September 1997- March 2000

Sponsored by: TC 4.10, Indoor Environmental Modeling

Product Code(s): D-8210