Reconstruction of hydronic radiant cooling panels: Conceptual design and numerical simulation

Thermal contact resistances are detrimental to the heat transfer of a radiant cooling panel with the pipe-plate structure, thereby reducing its cooling capacity. Therefore, the pipe-plate structure of traditional radiant cooling panels is reconsidered in this study. Being analogous to the structures of liquid cooling plates, the radiant cooling panels with integrated flow channels are constructed. The effects of panel materials, flow channels, and dimensions on the thermal and hydraulic performance of the reconstructed radiant cooling panels are detailedly discussed based on numerical calculations. The relationship between temperature uniformity, cooling capacity, and condensation prevention of radiant cooling panels is described. The numerical results show that the inlet temperature of cold water of the restructured radiant cooling panels can be increased by about 4 degrees C compared to that of a traditional one with the pipe-plate structure when the same 80.1 W/m2 cooling capacity is provided. This study is conducive to a better understanding of radiant cooling panels.

Automated summary

This study reconsiders the pipe-plate structure of radiant cooling panels and constructs radiant cooling panels with integrated flow channels, similar to liquid cooling plates. The effects of panel materials, flow channels, and dimensions on the thermal and hydraulic performance are discussed in detail based on numerical calculations.