New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

It is well-acknowledged that decarbonization in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is one of fundamental measures to meet the net zero carbon emissions target. In the past decades, research has been very active globally to explore miscellaneous energy conservation and renewable energy solutions to minimize carbon emissions in supplying energy for HVAC in buildings. Such research and development efforts are being accelerated through various programs in many countries, stimulated by the recent COP26 conference on climate change mitigation. We believe that these ongoing research activities are producing many innovative outcomes on the topic of decarbonization in HVAC; we therefore cordially invite relevant scholars to submit their research findings to the article collection of this Topic, which will hopefully serve as a platform for the exchange of knowledge and the stimulation of new innovations.

The specific topics include, but are not limited to, new developments in the following:

• Photovoltaic–thermal technology coupled with HVAC.
• Configuration and control of multisource heat pumps.
• Low-carbon strategies in space heating, cooling, and DHW.
• Automation, resilience, and effect of occupant behavior in the decarbonization of HVAC systems.
• Performance enhancement of phase change materials.
• Process design and material selection in thermochemical energy storage.
• Total energy recovery and use of thermoelectric modules in ventilation and desiccant cooling.
• Potential of sky radiative cooling.
• Solar-driven cooling applications.
• Natural refrigerants.

Prof. Dr. Yuehong Su
Dr. Michele Bottarelli
Dr. Carlos Jimenez-Bescos
Dr. Jingyu Cao
Prof. Dr. Jae-Weon Jeong
Dr. Devrim Aydin
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Sciences applsci	2.5	5.3	2011	18.4 Days	CHF 2400
Buildings buildings	3.1	3.4	2011	15.3 Days	CHF 2600
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600
Processes processes	2.8	5.1	2013	14.9 Days	CHF 2400
Sustainability sustainability	3.3	6.8	2009	19.7 Days	CHF 2400
Thermo thermo	-	2.1	2021	22.8 Days	CHF 1000

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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All Applied Sciences Buildings Energies Processes Sustainability Thermo

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34 pages, 17517 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Numerical Investigation of the Influence of Humid Environments on the Thermal Performance of a Phase Change Thermal Storage Cooling System in Buildings

by Xiangkui Gao, Qing Sheng and Na Li

Buildings 2024, 14(4), 1161; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14041161 - 19 Apr 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1158

Abstract

Phase change thermal energy storage (PCTES) technology has garnered significant attention in addressing thermal management challenges in building HVAC systems. However, the cooling performance of PCTES systems in humid scenarios remains unexplored, which is crucial in subtropical regions, high-humidity underground areas, and densely [...] Read more.

Phase change thermal energy storage (PCTES) technology has garnered significant attention in addressing thermal management challenges in building HVAC systems. However, the cooling performance of PCTES systems in humid scenarios remains unexplored, which is crucial in subtropical regions, high-humidity underground areas, and densely populated spaces. Taking the mine refuge chamber (MRC) as an example, this study focuses on a passive temperature and humidity control system by employing cold storage phase change plates (PCPs) for 96 h. First, an improved and simplified full-scale numerical model including PCPs and MRC parts is established. Then, the model is validated through the experimental results and solved using a numerical method. Finally, the influence of various factors within the system is investigated and an optimization method involving batch operation is proposed. The results indicate that (1) within 40 h, the use of cold storage PCPs leads to an indoor temperature reduction of 4.8 °C and a 7% decrease in relative humidity; (2) the PCPs show asynchronous states in sensible and latent heat transfer rates; (3) for every 50 additional PCPs, the average indoor temperature increases by 0.6 °C and the relative humidity decreases by 1.5%; (4) implementing batch operation of PCPs ensures that the indoor Heat Index drops by 10 °C, which is vital for human survival. The findings will play a crucial role in the global expansion and application (including geographical and functional aspects) of phase change thermal storage technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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23 pages, 1709 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Advancements in Liquid Desiccant Technologies: A Comprehensive Review of Materials, Systems, and Applications

by Farah G. Fahad, Shurooq T. Al-Humairi, Amged T. Al-Ezzi, Hasan Sh. Majdi, Abbas J. Sultan, Thaqal M. Alhuzaymi and Thaar M. Aljuwaya

Sustainability 2023, 15(18), 14021; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151814021 - 21 Sep 2023

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5234

Abstract

Desiccant agents (DAs) have drawn much interest from researchers and businesses because they offer a potential method for lowering environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and controlling humidity. As a result, they provide a greener option to conventional air conditioning systems. This review thoroughly [...] Read more.

Desiccant agents (DAs) have drawn much interest from researchers and businesses because they offer a potential method for lowering environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and controlling humidity. As a result, they provide a greener option to conventional air conditioning systems. This review thoroughly analyzes current issues, obstacles, and future advancements in liquid desiccant agents (LDAs) for drying, air conditioning, and dehumidification applications. The importance of LDAs in lowering energy use and greenhouse gas emissions is highlighted, emphasizing their potential for environmentally friendly humidity control. The current review examines key parameters such as novel materials, enhancing desiccant qualities, integration with technologies, and long-term durability while examining recent developments in LDAs and investigating their applications in diverse industries. The main conclusions from the evaluated publications in this review are also highlighted, including developments in LDAs, new applications, and developing research fields. Overall, this review advances knowledge of LDAs and their potential to shift humidity control systems toward sustainability and energy efficiency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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22 pages, 2374 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A Systematic Heat Recovery Approach for Designing Integrated Heating, Cooling, and Ventilation Systems for Greenhouses

by Mohsen Ghaderi, Christopher Reddick and Mikhail Sorin

Energies 2023, 16(14), 5493; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16145493 - 20 Jul 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

Ventilation heat loss is one of the most important factors contributing to energy performance of greenhouses. This paper suggests a systematic method based on dynamic pinch analysis (PA) to design an integrated heating, cooling, and ventilation system that uses ventilation waste heat in [...] Read more.

Ventilation heat loss is one of the most important factors contributing to energy performance of greenhouses. This paper suggests a systematic method based on dynamic pinch analysis (PA) to design an integrated heating, cooling, and ventilation system that uses ventilation waste heat in a cost-effective and energy efficient way. A heat recovery system including an air handling unit, borehole thermal storage, and a heat pump is proposed to investigate all heat integration scenarios for an entire year. In the first step, the heat integration scenarios are reduced to a few typical days using a clustering technique. Then, a generic methodology for designing a heat exchanger network (HEN) for a dynamic system, ensuring both direct and indirect heat recovery, is presented and a set of HENs are designed according to the conditions of typical days. Afterwards, the best HEN design is selected among all design alternatives using a techno-economic analysis. The whole procedure is applied to a commercial greenhouse and the best HEN configuration and required equipment sizes are calculated. It is shown that the best-performing design for the greenhouse under study produces primary energy savings of 57%, resulting in the shortest payback period of 9.5 years among all design alternatives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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16 pages, 4744 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Ventilation Performance of a Solar Chimney Coupled to an Outdoor Wind and Indoor Heat Source

by Shuaikun Yue, Zhong Ge, Jian Xu, Jianbin Xie, Zhiyong Xie, Songyuan Zhang and Jian Li

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(4), 2585; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13042585 - 16 Feb 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2629

Abstract

The effects of different solar radiation intensities, heat flow density of indoor heat sources, outdoor wind speed, and the relative location of indoor heat sources on the natural ventilation performance of solar chimneys are investigated through three-dimensional numerical simulations. The mechanism of the [...] Read more.

The effects of different solar radiation intensities, heat flow density of indoor heat sources, outdoor wind speed, and the relative location of indoor heat sources on the natural ventilation performance of solar chimneys are investigated through three-dimensional numerical simulations. The mechanism of the mutual coupling of the solar chimney effect with the outdoor wind and indoor heat source heat plume is explored. The results of the study show that when the structural parameters of the solar chimney are the same, the heat flow density on the surface of the indoor heat source, the outdoor wind speed and the solar radiation intensity all have a gaining effect on the ventilation performance of the solar chimney and the effects of the three on the ventilation of the solar chimney promote each other, when the solar radiation intensity is 200 W/m², the outdoor wind speed is 1.0 m/s, and the indoor heat source heat flow density increases from 0 to 1 500 W/m², the solar chimney ventilation volume increases from 0.393 m³/s to 0.519 m³/s, the maximum value of the increase is 32.1%. In the other two cases, the maximum increase in solar chimney ventilation is 176.7% and 33.1%, respectively. Under the same conditions, solar chimney ventilation is optimal when the heat source is in the middle of the room. The presence of outdoor wind, however, affects the optimum design parameters of the solar chimney. Compared to the case where no outdoor wind is taken into account, the optimum inlet width of 0.2–0.3 m for the solar chimney no longer applies with outdoor wind, with the optimum value rising to 0.5 m. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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25 pages, 3818 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Economic and Experimental Assessment of KCOOH Hybrid Liquid Desiccant-Vapor Compression System

by Kashish Kumar and Alok Singh

Sustainability 2022, 14(23), 15917; https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315917 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2434

Abstract

A liquid desiccant dehumidification cooling system is a promising, energy-saving, high-efficiency, environmentally friendly technology that maintains thermal comfort effectively indoors by utilizing renewable energy sources or waste heat to enhance system efficiency. In this research, a small-scale (6 kW cooling capacity) hybrid liquid [...] Read more.

A liquid desiccant dehumidification cooling system is a promising, energy-saving, high-efficiency, environmentally friendly technology that maintains thermal comfort effectively indoors by utilizing renewable energy sources or waste heat to enhance system efficiency. In this research, a small-scale (6 kW cooling capacity) hybrid liquid desiccant air-conditioning system (HLDAC) is proposed to evaluate the dehumidification performance of a non-corrosive potassium formate (KCOOH) solution. For this, four input parameters, namely, inlet air flow rate, inlet desiccant temperature, inlet desiccant concentration, and inlet specific air humidity, were selected. Moreover, the different combinations of experiments were designed by employing response surface methodology (RSM) to evaluate the dehumidification performance parameters, namely, dehumidifier latent heat load, coefficient of performance of hybrid system, and moisture removal rate (MRR). Further, a comparative performance analysis between the hybrid system and a standalone vapor compression system (VCS) unit was carried out. The result showed a remarkable increase in coefficient of performance, which was observed at about 28.48% over the standalone VCS unit. Furthermore, the economic assessment of the proposed hybrid system is presented in this paper. Finally, from the economic analysis, it was concluded that the hybrid system had a payback time of 2.65 years compared to the VCS unit. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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18 pages, 4046 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Non-Constant Hygrothermal Parameters on Heat and Moisture Transfer in Rammed Earth Walls

by Jiaye Tan, Jiahua Liang, Li Wan and Bin Jiang

Buildings 2022, 12(8), 1077; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings12081077 - 23 Jul 2022

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2385

Abstract

As environment-friendly building materials, earth materials are attracting significant attention because of their favorable hygrothermal properties. In this study, the earth materials in northwest Sichuan were tested and curves of thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability with relative humidity were obtained. The function [...] Read more.

As environment-friendly building materials, earth materials are attracting significant attention because of their favorable hygrothermal properties. In this study, the earth materials in northwest Sichuan were tested and curves of thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability with relative humidity were obtained. The function curves and constants of the two coefficients were substituted into the verified nonstationary model of heat and moisture transfer in rammed earth walls and indoor air for calculation. The difference in the calculation results when the hygrothermal parameters are functions and constants were analyzed, and the influence of the non-constant hygrothermal parameters on the heat and moisture transfer in rammed earth walls, was obtained. The test results show that thermal conductivity is linearly related to moisture content, and water vapor permeability has a small variation in the relative humidity range of 0–60% and increases exponentially above 60%. The calculation results indicate that the non-constant hygrothermal parameters have little influence on the internal surface temperature of the rammed earth walls and Mianyang City’s indoor air temperature and humidity during the summer and winter. The heat transfer on the internal surface will be underestimated by using a non-constant for the hygrothermal parameter when the moisture content of the wall is low, and vice versa. In hot-humid areas or seasons with large differences in temperature and humidity between indoors and outdoors, non-constant hygrothermal parameters have a more obvious effect on heat transfer on the internal surface of the wall. The results of this study demonstrate the necessity of parameter testing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic New Development for Decarbonization in Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning in Buildings)

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