IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i5p2956-d763279.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO 2 Levels inside a Classroom

Author

Listed:
  • Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Abelardo Rodríguez-León

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Carretera Panamericana km 1080, Tuxtla Gutierrez 29000, Mexico)

  • Martín Hernández-Ordoñez

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Mario Díaz-González

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Felipe de Jesús Pozos-Texon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

Abstract

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, guaranteeing thermal comfort and low CO 2 levels in classrooms through efficient ventilation has become vitally important. This study presents three-dimensional simulations based on computational fluid dynamics of airflow inside an air-conditioned classroom located in Veracruz, Mexico. The analysis included various positions of an air extractor, Reynolds numbers up to 3.5 × 10 4 , four different concentrations of pollutant sources, and three different times of the day. The simulations produced velocity, air temperature, and CO 2 concentrations fields, and we calculated average air temperatures, average CO 2 concentrations, and overall ventilation effectiveness. Our results revealed an optimal extractor position and Reynolds number conducive to thermal comfort and low CO 2 levels due to an adequate ventilation configuration. At high pollutant concentrations, it is necessary to reduce the number of students in the classroom to achieve safe CO 2 levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon & Abelardo Rodríguez-León & Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon & Martín Hernández-Ordoñez & Mario Díaz-González & Felipe de Jesús Pozos-Texon, 2022. "Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO 2 Levels inside a Classroom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2956-:d:763279
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/5/2956/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/5/2956/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Turanjanin, Valentina & Vučićević, Biljana & Jovanović, Marina & Mirkov, Nikola & Lazović, Ivan, 2014. "Indoor CO2 measurements in Serbian schools and ventilation rate calculation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 290-296.
    2. Shihan Deng & Bin Zou & Josephine Lau, 2021. "The Adverse Associations of Classrooms’ Indoor Air Quality and Thermal Comfort Conditions on Students’ Illness Related Absenteeism between Heating and Non-Heating Seasons—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-10, February.
    3. Finn F. Duill & Florian Schulz & Aman Jain & Leve Krieger & Berend van Wachem & Frank Beyrau, 2021. "The Impact of Large Mobile Air Purifiers on Aerosol Concentration in Classrooms and the Reduction of Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-31, November.
    4. Aminhossein Jahanbin & Giovanni Semprini, 2020. "Numerical Study on Indoor Environmental Quality in a Room Equipped with a Combined HRV and Radiator System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-22, December.
    5. Larisa Anghel & Cătălin-George Popovici & Cristian Stătescu & Radu Sascău & Marina Verdeș & Vasilică Ciocan & Ionela-Lăcrămioara Șerban & Minela Aida Mărănducă & Sebastian-Valeriu Hudișteanu & Florin-, 2020. "Impact of HVAC-Systems on the Dispersion of Infectious Aerosols in a Cardiac Intensive Care Unit," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-17, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jing, Gang & Cai, Wenjian & Zhang, Xin & Cui, Can & Yin, Xiaohong & Xian, Huacai, 2019. "An energy-saving oriented air balancing strategy for multi-zone demand-controlled ventilation system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 172(C), pages 1053-1065.
    2. Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon & Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon & Abelardo Rodríguez-León & Mario Díaz-González, 2023. "Numerical Study of Indoor Air Quality in a University Professor’s Office," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-19, February.
    3. Hyeonji Seol & Daniel Arztmann & Naree Kim & Alvaro Balderrama, 2023. "Estimation of Natural Ventilation Rates in an Office Room with 145 mm-Diameter Circular Openings Using the Occupant-Generated Tracer-Gas Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-25, June.
    4. Pei-Chun Tu & Wen-Chen Cheng & Ping-Cheng Hou & Yu-Sen Chang, 2020. "Effects of Types of Horticultural Activity on the Physical and Mental State of Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-13, July.
    5. Ling-Yi Chang & Tong-Bou Chang, 2023. "Air Conditioning Operation Strategies for Comfort and Indoor Air Quality in Taiwan’s Elementary Schools," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-19, March.
    6. Tureková, Ivana & Marková, Iveta & Sventeková, Eva & Harangózo, Jozef, 2022. "Evaluation of microclimatic conditions during the teaching process in selected school premises. Slovak case study," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    7. Fusheng Ma & Changhong Zhan & Xiaoyang Xu, 2019. "Investigation and Evaluation of Winter Indoor Air Quality of Primary Schools in Severe Cold Weather Areas of China," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-19, April.
    8. Wenhao Chen & Zhong-Min Wang & Kyle Peerless & Elon Ullman & Mark J. Mendell & David Putney & Jeff Wagner & Kazukiyo Kumagai, 2024. "Monitoring of Ventilation, Portable Air Cleaner Operation, and Particulate Matter in California Classrooms: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, March.
    9. Schibuola, Luigi & Scarpa, Massimiliano & Tambani, Chiara, 2018. "CO2 based ventilation control in energy retrofit: An experimental assessment," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 143(C), pages 606-614.
    10. Krzysztof Grygierek & Seyedkeivan Nateghi & Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek & Jan Kaczmarczyk, 2023. "Controlling and Limiting Infection Risk, Thermal Discomfort, and Low Indoor Air Quality in a Classroom through Natural Ventilation Controlled by Smart Windows," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    11. Heracleous, Chryso & Michael, Aimilios, 2018. "Assessment of overheating risk and the impact of natural ventilation in educational buildings of Southern Europe under current and future climatic conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(PB), pages 1228-1239.
    12. Gil-Baez, Maite & Barrios-Padura, Ángela & Molina-Huelva, Marta & Chacartegui, R., 2017. "Natural ventilation systems in 21st-century for near zero energy school buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 1186-1200.
    13. Ljiljana Đukanović & Dušan Ignjatović & Nataša Ćuković Ignjatović & Aleksandar Rajčić & Nevena Lukić & Bojana Zeković, 2022. "Energy Refurbishment of Serbian School Building Stock—A Typology Tool Methodology Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-20, March.
    14. Jae-Sol Choi & Jae-Hyuk Lee & Eui-Jong Kim, 2018. "Effects of ERV Filter Degradation on Indoor CO 2 Levels of a Classroom," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-15, April.
    15. Lizana, Jesus & Serrano-Jimenez, Antonio & Ortiz, Carlos & Becerra, Jose A. & Chacartegui, Ricardo, 2018. "Energy assessment method towards low-carbon energy schools," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 310-326.
    16. Juliana P. Sá & Pedro T. B. S. Branco & Maria C. M. Alvim-Ferraz & Fernando G. Martins & Sofia I. V. Sousa, 2017. "Evaluation of Low-Cost Mitigation Measures Implemented to Improve Air Quality in Nursery and Primary Schools," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-21, May.
    17. Lara Moeller & Florian Wallburg & Felix Kaule & Stephan Schoenfelder, 2022. "Numerical Flow Simulation on the Virus Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Due to Airborne Transmission in a Classroom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, May.
    18. Alberto Meiss & Héctor Jimeno-Merino & Irene Poza-Casado & Alfredo Llorente-Álvarez & Miguel Ángel Padilla-Marcos, 2021. "Indoor Air Quality in Naturally Ventilated Classrooms. Lessons Learned from a Case Study in a COVID-19 Scenario," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-12, July.
    19. Shen Yang & Sebastian Duque Mahecha & Sergi Aguacil Moreno & Dusan Licina, 2022. "Integration of Indoor Air Quality Prediction into Healthy Building Design," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-18, June.
    20. Li, Bingxu & Wu, Bingjie & Peng, Yelun & Cai, Wenjian, 2022. "Tube-based robust model predictive control of multi-zone demand-controlled ventilation systems for energy saving and indoor air quality," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2956-:d:763279. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.