Modelling of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 August 2025 | Viewed by 359

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Electrical Engineering, ISE, University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
Interests: building energy savings; fault detection for electrical energy systems; HVAC control systems; renewable energies
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Guest Editor
Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Algarve, Faro, Portugal
Interests: energy; renewable energy; efficiency in buildings; thermal comfort; indoor air quality; building ventilation; CFD; human and building thermal simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The modelling of indoor air quality and thermal comfort is an important issue within the field of air quality studies. Good indoor air quality and thermal comfort are fundamental in order for building occupants to achieve high health standards, as well as good professional and academic performance. Furthermore, indoor air quality and thermal comfort have been increasingly affected by the impacts of climate change. Therefore, research in this area is becoming increasingly relevant. The objective of this new Special Issue is to gather together new innovative research papers on the modelling of indoor air quality and thermal comfort. Numerical results, experimental tests and state-of-the-art research are welcome.

For this Special Issue, we are seeking studies related to the modelling of indoor air quality and thermal comfort, namely in the following areas:

  • Numerical and experimental studies in the area;
  • Building and vehicle spaces;
  • Indoor and outdoor air quality;
  • Indoor and outdoor thermal comfort levels;
  • The impact of climate change on indoor environmental conditions;
  • New indices to assess the quality of indoor environments;
  • Strategies for optimizing both energy consumption and indoor environmental quality;
  • Heating, ventilating and air-conditioning systems;
  • Design and construction strategies.

Dr. João M. M. Gomes
Dr. Eusébio Z. E. Conceição
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • numerical and experimental studies
  • buildings and vehicles
  • air quality
  • thermal comfort
  • HVAC systems
  • design and construction strategies
  • indoor air quality (IAQ)
  • heat stress

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

31 pages, 14974 KiB  
Article
3SqAir Project: A Living Lab Towards Sustainable Smart Strategy for Indoor Climate Quality Assurance in Classrooms
by James Ogundiran, Jean-Paul Kapuya Bulaba Nyembwe, John Omomoluwa Ogundiran, Ruben Alexandre de Souto Santos, Luísa Dias Pereira and Manuel Gameiro da Silva
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050584 - 13 May 2025
Viewed by 208
Abstract
The indoor climate quality in classrooms at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, was investigated as part of the 3SqAir project, supported by the Interreg SUDOE program. This research focused on two equipped classrooms with different ventilation systems: natural and mechanical ventilation. Both classrooms [...] Read more.
The indoor climate quality in classrooms at the University of Coimbra, Portugal, was investigated as part of the 3SqAir project, supported by the Interreg SUDOE program. This research focused on two equipped classrooms with different ventilation systems: natural and mechanical ventilation. Both classrooms were continuously monitored for IEQ parameters: thermal comfort, indoor air quality, noise, and lighting during heating and cooling seasons. Air temperature, relative humidity, CO2 concentration, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, sound pressure level, and illuminance were measured. Outdoor weather conditions were also recorded. The primary focus was on air temperature, CO2 concentrations, and relative humidity, while air change rates (ACH) were estimated using the Tracer Gas Method. The results showed inadequate thermal conditions in both classrooms, particularly during the heating season. Most weekly mean CO2 concentrations were within acceptable limits, while ACH were below standard recommendations in four CO2 decay phases. Simulations of CO2 decay revealed further air quality gaps in each room. Corrective measures within the 3SqAir project framework were suggested for approval and implementation while monitoring continues. This work represents the first phase in an evolving study towards developing sustainable strategies for improving indoor air quality in classrooms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modelling of Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort)
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