Proposal and application of indexes for dynamic evaluation of indoor humidity and thermal environment

Abstract

Moisture sources release wet-components into and absorb from the indoor air, affecting the occupant health, air-conditioning energy-consumption, and building service-life. Considering the strong dynamic features of wet-component’s evaporation and diffusion, we propose indexes CRI(H)t and CRI(C)t, which can accurately describe dynamical effects of sources on the indoor-environment. Taking a humidifier as a source, we subsequently compare the indexes under various source-parameters and environmental conditions. The results show that according to the variation of CRI(H)t and CRI(C)t, the process of sources influencing humidity and temperature field can be subdivided into rapid-increase/stable-increase/stable stage and decrease/increase stage. The variability and time-ratio of indices can provide a comprehensive understanding of sources with various intensities and water-temperatures affecting the indoor environment at different atmospheric-pressures, temperatures, and humidity. This study will be beneficial for the establishment of transient indoor environmental models, regulation of air-conditioning systems, and sustainable control of indoor environment.