Abstract

CEDENO QUIJADA, María; SOLANO, Thasnee; MORA, Dafni  and  CHEN AUSTIN, Miguel. Performance Evaluation of Ventilation Systems in Classrooms: Numerical Study in University Buildings in Panama. Novasinergia [online]. 2022, vol.5, n.1, pp.100-127.  Epub Jan 31, 2022. ISSN 2631-2654.  https://doi.org/10.37135/ns.01.09.07.

Abstract: Air quality plays a decisive role in the performance of the occupants of indoor spaces; it is estimated that 30% of a person's life corresponds to their academic training. This research aimed to determine if the ventilation systems in the Technological University of Panama buildings provide appropriate air quality for its students. We evaluated the ventilation performance in passive and mechanical mode; the dynamic interface DesignBuilder simulated case studies. The indicators used were CO2 concentration, indoor air renewal rates, and thermal comfort. The minimum requirements of Panamanian and international standards were used as a reference. The results showed insufficient natural ventilation due to thermal discomfort and high CO2 concentrations. In contrast, mechanical ventilation improved thermal comfort levels, but the CO2 concentration remained slightly outside acceptable limits. These results demonstrated that the buildings are not designed to operate passively, restricting their operation exclusively in mechanical mode.

Keywords : Air renewal; buildings; carbon dioxide; dynamic simulation; indoor air quality; mechanical ventilation; natural ventilation; thermal comfort.

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