Advances in Passive Cooling Design: An Integrated Design Approach

Abstract

Incorporating passive cooling devices within building design requires analysis of device variables and actions to improve cooling performance, maximize efficiency, and integrate with building elements. Improving devices performance requires understanding the relation of devices to design stages, building elements, and working mechanism, and actions performed by devices to enhance cooling process and effectiveness. Therefore, designers could integrate passive devices as intrinsic design elements. The current research introduces SARS as an innovative classification of passive devices based on cooling actions that are performed by a device like storing, avoidance, removal or slowing (SARS). All actions, devices, and variables were discussed and analyzed to help integrate them within design stages: analysis, designing, and performance. Understanding actions will help maximize the performance of the devices, combine two or more devices together, and integrate the devices' deign in design process. Combining more devices together to perform more than one function will move passive design to a new level to become as whole building design approach and to be a core design element.

Evaluation of the Impact of the Envelope System on Thermal Energy Demand in Hospital Buildings

“…These circumstances together with the 4 • C fluctuation in temperature (with the maximum at 12.00 a.m. and the minimum at 4.00 a.m. is a clear consequence of the lack of thermal inertia in the building [55] and the lack of passive cooling strategies. In general, to implement passive cooling systems to adapt the building to the local environmental conditions, it is necessary to understand the sources of heat gains that are affecting thermal comfort in the building [56]. These circumstances have been reported in the literature as dependent on use and orientation [18,57].…”

“…These conditions are a consequence of lack of diurnal heat capacity (DHC) of the façade materials. In this context, the relative values of TTC are particularly important when the building is affected by heat flux, while the values of DHC are important when the solar gain affecting the building is considerable [56]. The influence of the envelope thermal efficiency in the interior temperature of rooms is evident.…”

“…The thermal performance of buildings could be improved by implementing some passive strategies. Several studies have confirmed that the application of shading devices [56], higher thermal mass materials [44,61] incorporation of vegetation [67] and higher insulation value [43], could help to mitigate the UHI effect and reduce the energy demand of buildings. In the case of this building, we recommend the implementation of a shading device system that can be operated accordingly during summer and winter based on the prevailing heat conditions.…”

18. DESIGN STRATEGIES FOR "nZEB" TYPE BUILDINGS

“…The natural ventilation strategy (the strategy considered to provide adaptive comfort) can ensure comfort for a period of maximum 14.3% of the year. By combining several passive strategies (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16), the annual period needed for heating / cooling, respectively the energy consumption can be substantially reduced. In Table 3 the characteristic fields of variation of the main climatic parameters are extracted, for the analysed localities by author, in order to identify suitable strategies for ensuring the interior comfort and the optimal condition for use renewables energies systems.…”

“…Explosions and increased electromagnetic and proton emissions / solar electromagnetic field / solar winds have a major impact on the absorption capacity of CO 2 from the atmosphere at the surface level of the sea and of the ocean. According to some researchers [7][8][9][10], these factors would be responsible for a double amount of CO 2 accumulated in the atmosphere compared to that of anthropogenic origin.…”