Thermal Comfort Zone for Thai People

Juntakan Taweekun, Ar-U-Wat Tantiwichien

Department of Mechanical Engineering Faculty of Engineering, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand.

DOI: 10.4236/eng.2013.55062                

Abstract

Radiant cooling system for thermal comfort of Thai people was developed. Questionnaires for subjective experiments were examined for development of radiant cooling system for thermal comfort. Thermal sensation, humid sensation and air movement sensation were used for thermal comfort assessment. The Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) value was used for thermal comfort evaluation and it was observed that the PMV values are in the comfortable ranges during 18:00 to 10:00 for air velocity 0.2 m/s and 0.4 m/s. Comfortable periods are extended for higher air velocity. Neutral temperatures are in the ranges of 26.44℃-33.60℃. The percentage number of dissatisfied (PPD) value for each air velocity was also investigate and the value of PPD is five for zero value of PMV. Simulation and experimental results were evaluated by using three indicators, namely, the coefficient of variation (CV), the mean bias error (MBE) and Chi-Square (x²). The values of CV, MBE and (x²) for mean radiant temperature are 14.52%, 1.54% and 3.95℃, respectively. Zones of acceptable thermal environment were developed for Thai People. Results revealed that the comfortable zones of Thai people are in the ranges of relative humidity 50% 70% and effective temperatures (ET) 24℃ 27℃.

Keywords

Thermal Comfort Zone; Radiant Cooling System; Neutral Temperature

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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