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Content archived on 2024-05-14

The application of passive downdraught evaporative cooling (PDEC) to non-domestic buildings

Objective



Objectives

Passive cooling techniques offer a potential solution to reduce the electricity use of air conditioning systems. Air can be delivered by catching the wind within a tower. Cooling may be achieved by spraying microscopic droplets into the airstream; the PDEC project focuses on this technique. The objectives are to:
establish the technical and financial feasibility of PDEC
monitor and optimise the performance of PDEC systems
stimulate interest in products and assist in their design
illustrate the application of PDEC products
quantify and compare the overall energy demands of PDEC and non-PDEC buildings
illustrate the energy and environmental benefits of PDEC designs for Southern Europe and adjacent regions
explore the applicability of detailed simulation models and the accuracy of their predictions for PDEC buildings
assess local thermal comfort conditions in PDEC buildings,
produce a PDEC Design Guide for architects and engineers.

Technical Approach

The work can be broadly divided into 3 main areas: Architectural Design Studies (ADS), Building Performance Assessment (BPA), and Experimentation and Monitoring (E&M). ADS activities have originally concentrated on the design of an experimental facility in Catania, Sicily. This PDEC test building will be extensively monitored. Wind tunnel tests have been carried out to assist the design of the wind catchers at the top of the PDEC tower. The ADS reference building is the Pavilion of the Americas at the Expo '92 site in Sevilla. A simulated refurbishment will be performed using PDEC systems comparing performance with the existing building using state-of-the-art simulation software. A design for a new PDEC building will be assessed in a similar way.

Expected Achievements and Exploitation

The main deliverable will be a PDEC Design Guide to explain: the construction, operation and control of PDEC systems;
their environmental benefits for Southern Europe and surrounding regions;
their cost and building engineering implications;
the design of micronisers and their control.

The introduction of PDEC systems in new buildings will lead to: improved urban air quality through reducing harmful emissions a reduction in the degradation caused to urban buildings fabric from atmospheric pollutants
improved thermal comfort for building occupants and improved working conditions without the penalty of high energy use
savings in building capital, energy and maintenance costs, leading to increasing profitability
the establishment of new companies who will develop the PDEC system technology and manufacture a full range of equipment and control systems for a wider range of building applications.

Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)

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Topic(s)

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Funding Scheme

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CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

DE MONTFORT UNIVERSITY
EU contribution
No data
Address
The Gateway
LE1 9BH LEICESTER
United Kingdom

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Total cost

The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.

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Participants (5)

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