Optimal thermal sensors placement based on indoor thermal environment characterization by using CFD model

Abstract

This paper discusses an analysis to obtain the optimal thermal sensor placement based on indoor thermal characteristics. The method relies on the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation by manipulating the outdoor climate and indoor air conditioning (AC) system. First, the alternative sensor's position is considered the optimum installation and the occupant's safety. Utilizing the Standardized Euclidean Distance (SED) analysis, these positions are then selected for the best position using the distribution of the thermal parameters' values data at the activity zones. Onsite measurement validated the CFD model results with the maximum root means square error, RMSE, between both data sets as 0.8°C for temperature, the relative humidity of 3.5%, and an air velocity of 0.08m/s, due to the significant effect of the building location. The Standardized Euclidean Distance (SED) analysis results are the optimum sensor positions that accurately, consistently, and have the optimum % coverage representing the thermal condition at 1,1m floor level. At the optimal positions, actual sensors are installed and proven to be valid results since sensors could detect thermal variables at the height of 1.1m with SED validation values of 2.5±0.3, 2.2±0.6, 2.0±1.1, for R15, R33, and R40, respectively.