Prediction of infiltration rate and the effect on energy use for ice rinks in hot and humid climates

Infiltration of hot humid air into an ice rink situated in subtropical region was investigated. A recreation ice rink in Taipei was used as the building model and measurements of temperature, humidity, and pressure difference were performed for different outdoor air conditions. Sherman infiltration model was used to investigate building stack and wind effects. Altogether eight cases including four points on IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) fog lines were studied for optimal energy operations. Cooling and dehumidification characteristics due to air infiltration were investigated. Annual analysis on air infiltration and building energy was performed for monthly average weather conditions. Stack effect was found to be the most important factor of infiltration. The effects of seasonal temperatures could result in five times difference of infiltration rates. Wind effects were found to affect the peak infiltration rate more than 50%. The air change rate was found to be as high as 0.6 ACH due to stack and wind effects. The moisture infiltration peaked in summer season and can be more than several times of that in winter. It was also found in the investigation that the total heat load due to infiltration can be as high as 13,540 GJ/year for the ice rink studied. Operating conditions were found to reduce the total annual heat load by more than 50% under the IIHF fog lines. The results of this study will contribute to the technical literature in the design of year round ice rinks in tropical and subtropical regions.