Analysis of Air Quality in A Laboratory Equipped with Split Air Conditioning System

Abstract

Computer laboratories are the place for teaching and learning where thermal conditions and indoor air quality is essential for the performance of students and teachers. Computational fluid dynamics is a widely used technique which is used to simulate indoor air conditions. This study includes experimental as well as numerical work using computational fluid dynamics program of a computer laboratory /with high wall mount split air conditioning system. Experimental results are compared with the numerical one to evaluate the CFD program. CO2 concentration field measurements were taken which is standard to check indoor air quality of the computer laboratory. Cooling load requirement of the laboratory is also evaluated in this study. Twelve points were considered in laboratory to take reading for temperature, humidity and CO2 concentration.CO2 concentration exceeded the permissible as well as hazardous limit set by ASHRAE standard 62.1,2013. Good agreement is achieved between the computed and measured temperature results. The experimental and numerical results showed that the model is capable of giving close results with experimental one and due to this modifying the model can give a better air temperature distribution. The simulation also showed the existence of cold spots and stagnant are in the laboratory. Keywords— Indoor air quality; Computational fluid dynamics; laboratory; split air conditioning system;CO2 concentration.