A novel conductive-radiative Personalised Environmental Control System (PECS): optimization and performance enhancement

Roberto Rugani, Hui Zhang, Marco Picco, Giacomo Salvadori, Fabio Fantozzi

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

This study presents the optimization of a novel conductive-radiative Personalized Environmental Control System (PECS) in the form of a heated desk, designed to improve ergonomics and reduce energy consumption. Building on previous prototypes, the desk maintains localized comfort in ambient temperatures as low as 17°C, with enhanced user control of upper and lower heating surfaces. Three configurations of desk heating surfaces were tested using a thermal manikin in a climatic chamber, evaluating heat loss and heating effects (HE – quantifies how much a PECS can correct the room temperature to recreate the neutral sensation, unit in K). The most ergonomic and energy-efficient configuration, Desk B, features a large lower heating surface and a smaller upper surface, providing localized warmth without risking damaging sensitive desk equipment. Key findings show that Desk B consumed 69-82% less energy than previous PECS models (Rugani et al., 2023), with power consumption ranging from 31-52 W, compared to 170 W in earlier prototypes. The average Heating Effect (HE) ranged from 1 to 1.5 K across all configurations, with localized HE values reaching 2.5 to 4 K in target areas like hands, forearms, and thighs. A peak of 9.7 K was recorded when direct hand contact with the heating surface occurred, demonstrating effective heat localization at reduced energy consumption levels. This optimized PECS demonstrates significant potential for energy-efficient, personalized heating solutions in office environments.
Original languageEnglish
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2024
EventComfort at the extremes 2024 - University of Seville, Seville, Spain
Duration: 20 Nov 2024 → …
https://cate2024.org/

Conference

ConferenceComfort at the extremes 2024
Abbreviated titleCATE24
Country/TerritorySpain
CitySeville
Period20/11/24 → …
Internet address

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A novel conductive-radiative Personalised Environmental Control System (PECS): optimization and performance enhancement'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this