Development of Innovative Thermoplastic Foam Materials Using Two Additive Manufacturing Technologies for Application in Evaporative Cooling Systems.

Evaporative cooling systems have emerged as low-energy consumption alternatives to traditional vapor compression systems for building air conditioning. This study explored the feasibility of utilizing polymeric foamed materials produced through additive manufacturing as wetting materials in evaporative cooling systems. Specifically, two different commercial polylactic acid filaments, each containing a percentage of a chemical blowing agent, were studied.

Effect of Material Extrusion Process Parameters to Enhance Water Vapour Adsorption Capacity of PLA/Wood Composite Printed Parts.

This study aims to optimise the water vapour adsorption capacity of polylactic acid (PLA) and wood composite materials for application in dehumidification systems through material extrusion additive manufacturing. By analysing key process parameters, including nozzle diameter, layer height, and temperature, the research evaluates their impact on the porosity and adsorption performance of the composite. Additionally, the influence of different infill densities on moisture absorption is investigated.

Mixed-integer disciplined convex programming approach applied to the optimal energy supply of near-zero energy buildings.

Energy needs in the buildings sector accounts for 40 % of global energy demand. Therefore, the implementation of several renewable energy sources is necessary to reduce this demand. The design stage of a decentralized generation project requires quantifying the power to be installed and the energy forecast for each source throughout the useful life of the building.

Exhaled contaminant concentration data in a hospital room influenced by external heat gains.

A hospital room is simulated using two breathing thermal manikins representing a health worker (HW) and a patient in repose (PR). The PR exhales R134a simulating small exhaled particles (<5 μm) and the contaminant concentration around and in the inhalation of HW is measured during a period of 2 hours per experiment. The room is climatized to maintain constant air temperature values of 25 °C using two wall mounted grilles and two exhausts.

Assessment of displacement ventilation systems in airborne infection risk in hospital rooms.

Efficient ventilation in hospital airborne isolation rooms is important vis-à-vis decreasing the risk of cross infection and reducing energy consumption. This paper analyses the suitability of using a displacement ventilation strategy in airborne infection isolation rooms, focusing on health care worker exposure to pathogens exhaled by infected patients. The analysis is mainly based on numerical simulation results obtained with the support of a 3-D transient numerical model validated using experimental data.