Experimental study of thermal condition in a room with hydronic cooling radiant surfaces

This paper presents a new approach for experimental analysis of chilled or heated ceiling systems and its environment (ventilation, windows and thermal loads distribution). The work is aimed at giving a better insight to crucial parameters as the contact thermal resistance, fin effectiveness of ceiling panels, mass flow rate, supply water temperature, thermal load distribution, fenestration and ventilation system effects on the radiant ceiling capacity and comfort conditions. The experimental methodology and its discussion are also presented. A test chamber is adapted in a way to reproduce as good as possible the characteristics of a hospital room with a cooling ceiling system. The convection and radiation heat transfer coefficients to room and losses through the ceiling void are also studied. Experimental data are used to fit the uncertain parameters mentioned and improve the capacity and performance of the ceiling system, but also to evaluate the design of this HVAC system and the applicable control strategies.