Evaluation a Hybrid Passive Cooling System for a Building Using Experimental and Commercial Software (Design Builder)

Increasing fossil fuel consumption in the building, especially in the air-conditioning sector, has increased environmental pollution and global warming. In this research, a zero-energy passive system was designed to ventilate the building and provide comfortable conditions for people in the summer. A hybrid passive system was designed for indoor cooling to minimize fossil energy use. This research was done experimentally- and analytically and by simulation. An experimental study comprising a test chamber and simulation using Builder Design software was carried out to evaluate the cooling and ventilation potential of a hybrid passive system functioning. In the experimental section, air temperature, humidity, and airflow for the outdoor environment and the output of the evaporative cooling channel were measured. These measurements were tested in August from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM for six consecutive days. The obtained experimental data were given to Design Builder software as an input parameter, and then, the comfort conditions inside the chamber, the dimensions, and location of the air inlet valve into the chamber were examined. The findings showed that the proposed system could reduce the air temperature by an average of 10 oC and increase the air humidity by 33 %. The findings showed that the air inside the chamber was comfortable during the hottest hours of the day. Raising the valve location, increasing the area, and increasing the volumetric flow rate of the air increased the percentage of dissatisfaction. The findings showed that in addition to wind speed and air temperature, the geometrical shape of the air inlet opening contributes to indoor air comfort conditions.