EMTS2600 Indoor climate and measurement technology Course description

Through this course, the student will acquire basic knowledge about indoor climate in buildings. They must be able to assess the indoor climate quality in a building and propose measures to achieve a good indoor climate. They will also learn principles for measurement theory, through lectures and practical measurement of indoor climate parameters, as well as measurement in ventilation systems.

The following coursework is compulsory and must be approved before the student can sit the exam:

• 8 of 12 calculation exercises
• 2 lab assignments in groups

None beyond admission requirements, but an advantage of basic knowledge in chemistry and physics

After completing this course, the student has the following learning outcomes, defined as knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student can

• basic measurement theory

• account for surveys

• basic reaction kinetics and mass balances

• give an account of the authorities' requirements, regulations, rules and industry standards for indoor climate

• describe the thermal, atmospheric, acoustic, actinic, and mechanical environment in indoor climates

• describe the person's optimal state of comfort in terms of temperature, metabolism and clothing in a building

• understand the relationship between humid air and temperature and the importance of humid air in indoor climates

• give an account of indoor climate conditions that affect the growth of microorganisms

• understand the background for choosing environmentally friendly building materials

• explain conditions regarding cleaning during construction and operation

• account for the risk of legionella growth in hot water systems and cooling towers

• explain the connection between indoor climate and disease and health

• understand how a wet room should be designed

Skills

The student can

• assess uncertainty in all types of measurements of indoor climate parameters and set up an uncertainty budget

• handle surveys on indoor climate using the "Ear Brochure Form" and interpret the results.

• calculate required air volumes based on mass balances and reaction kinetics

• perform measurements of indoor climate parameters such as air exchange, air quality, thermal, acoustic and actinic conditions including radon and compare them with government requirements

• assess the use of materials with regard to indoor climate quality and environmental impact

• perform a microbiological analysis of a building, especially with regard to molds

• use Mollier diagram to calculate dew point and other thermodynamic data for humid air

• use software for indoor climate simulations

• design for optimal maintenance to avoid Legionella growth in hot water systems and cooling towers

• design wet rooms

General competence

The student can

• plan and perform indoor climate analyzes

• evaluate and present the results of an indoor climate survey in writing and orally

Lectures, exercises, laboratory and groupwork.

The following work requirements are mandatory and must be approved to sit for the exam:

5 laboratory assignments in a group

4 written exercises of 2-3 printed pages

The purpose of the work requirement is to provide students with an academic basis for written examinations.

The course aims to give the student an introduction to heat transfer and basic understanding of heat transfer processes. Practical application areas include design of components in heating and cooling systems (e.g. heat exchangers), calculation of the heating requirements of buildings. The course builds on knowledge acquired in the EMTS1400 Thermodynamics for Energy and Environment. Voluntary computer lab exercises are therefore offered (Python programming).

All written and printed aid allowed at the project

All written and printed aid allowed and calculator, under the written exam. 

Graded scale A-F.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

• has acquired an understanding of the key concepts of heat transfer, as well as the principles of the various heat transfer modes
• is familiar with and is capable of determining the heat conduction equation (three-dimensional, transient) with boundary conditions and initial conditions
• is familiar with stationary heat conduction (one and two-dimensional) in Cartesian, and cylindrical coordinates
• is capable of addressing internal heat sources and use of thermal networks
• is familiar with transient (non-stationary) heat conduction, and is capable of solving simple problems (Lumped system, zero dimensional)
• is capable of using computational methods of calculating heat conduction (one, two or three dimensional, transient), using the finite difference method
• masters explicit and implicit formulation of transient problems
• is able to calculate external and internal forced convection, addressing boundary layers and drawing velocity and temperature profiles. Empirical correlations are used.
• is capable of analysing parallel-flow and counter-flow heat exchangers by using logarithmic mean temperature differences and ε-NTU methods. Familiar with fouling
• has insight into simple radiation physics and thermal radiation between solid surfaces. Black/grey surfaces are considered

Skills

The student is capable of:

• carrying out necessary calculations for engineering analysis of heat transfer in real-life structures, including buildings and heat exchangers, and elsewhere
• calculating heat conduction in solid elements, for example in walls (heat flow and temperature profiles)
• calculating convective heat transfer (convection) between a solid element and a fluid
• calculating heat transfer between solid surfaces caused by thermal radiation
• calculating heat transfer between hot and cold fluids in heat exchangers

General competence

The student is capable of:

• contributing to the work of developing new technology on the basis of an understanding of mathematical modelling and //solving physical problems
• solving interrelated problems linked to heat transfer, thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. This will form a basis for calculating the power requirements and energy needs of a building etc.
• assessing whether calculation results are reasonable

Lectures, individual calculation exercises, computer exercises, laboratory exercises