Numerical Prediction of Mean Radiant Temperature in Radiant Cooling Indoor Environments

Mean radiant temperature (MRT) is an indispensable physical parameter of indoor thermal environments. Especially in indoor environments controlled by radiant systems, MRT plays an important role in thermal comfort. In order to determine MRT of indoor environments controlled by radiant cooling systems quickly and inexpensively, a numerical program is developed in this study. Based on the finite element method (FEM), view factors and radiant temperature fields are numerically calculated. The singular solution problem generated by FEM is corrected using the Monte Carlo method. The numerical program is validated against the results of an experiment performed in a radiant cooling laboratory and the reported data from previous studies. Then radiant temperature fields of different shaped surfaces in a radiant cooling indoor environment are predicted, and thermal comfort level is preliminarily evaluated.

Automated summary

In this study, a numerical program was developed to quickly and inexpensively determine the mean radiant temperature (MRT) of indoor environments controlled by radiant cooling systems. The program was validated against experimental results and data from previous studies. Radiant temperature fields of different shaped surfaces were predicted, and the thermal comfort level was preliminarily evaluated.