Critical review of displacement ventilation

Xiaoxiong Yuan, Qingyan Chen, Leon R. Glicksman

Research output: Journal article publicationConference articleAcademic researchpeer-review

129 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This paper reviews several aspects of the performance of displacement ventilation: temperature distribution, flow distribution, contaminant distribution, comfort, energy and cost analysis, and design guidelines. Ventilation rate, cooling load, heat source, wall characteristics, space height, and diffuser type have major impacts on the performance of displacement ventilation. Some of the impacts can be estimated by simple equations, but many are still unknown. Based on current findings, displacement ventilation systems without cooled ceiling panels can be used for space with a cooling load up to 13 Btu/(h·ft2) (40 W/m2). Energy consumed by HVAC systems depends on control strategies. The first costs of the displacement ventilation system are similar to those of a mixing ventilation system. The displacement system with cooled ceiling panels can remove a higher cooling load, but the first costs are higher as well. The design guidelines of displacement ventilation developed in Scandinavian countries need to be clarified and extended so that they can be used for U.S. buildings. This paper outlines the research needed to develop design guidelines for U.S. buildings.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)78-89
Number of pages12
JournalASHRAE Transactions
Volume104
Issue numberPt 1A
Publication statusPublished - 1998
EventProceedings of the 1998 ASHRAE Winter Meeting. Part 1 (of 2) - San Francisco, CA, USA
Duration: 18 Jan 199821 Jan 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical Engineering

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