Indexes of Indoor Thermal Environment with Asymmetrical Radiant Field

The main features of top-flcor rooms with natural ventilation are identified by investigating indoor thermal environment in summer season. One is high indoor air temperature, for this reason the indoor climate is far beyond the thermal comfort standard; the other is the inhomogeneons temperature distribution of the inner wall surfaces, and high temperature of the inner surface of the roof causes much scorching to the head of occupant. This is the characteristic of such rooms. Both features mentioned above should be considered comprehensively for the evaluation of indoor thermal environment of the top-floor rooms with asymmetric radiant field. In order to characterize the indoor thermal environment of the rooms, the heat stress index, HSI and radiant heat flux reaching human head, Q_R should be introduced simultaneously as thermal indexes for the indoor climate evaluation. The application of the indexes to a topfloor room is presented and analyzed.

Thermal Indices Influence on Occupants’ Window Opening Behaviours: A Case of Ibadan and Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria

Window opening operations are considered as one of the significant way of regulating indoor climate and maintaining thermal comfort in buildings,even when alternative active devices such as fans and air conditioners are available.This study investigates responses of occupants of the traditional core areas of Ibadan and Ogbomoso to thermal comfort conditions(thermal stress)through window opening behaviours.Climatic data of the two cities were subjected to Evans scale to predict their day and night thermal stress and questionnaires were administered to know how occupants respond to changing thermal conditions through window opening behaviours.Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in analysing the data.The study found the morning periods to be the most comfortable,the afternoon periods offer the most hot discomfort condition and cold discomfort is mostly experienced in the evening periods in both cities.Findings revealed that majority of occupants in both cities prefer to keep their windows opened in the morning and afternoon periods and an increase was observed in the numbers of occupants who prefer to keep their windows closed in the evening periods.This is an indication that building occupants in both cities actively respond to thermal stress using window opening operations.Results obtained from chi square analysis concluded that there is a significant relationship between occupants’window opening behaviour and thermal conditions at different periods of the day in both cities.Recommendations were given on how to improve on window opening systems in the future.

The Approach of Compensation of Air Refractive Index in Thermal Expansion Coefficients Measurement Based on Laser Feedback Interferometry

We present the thermal expansion coefficient （TEC） measurement technology of compensating for the effect of variations in the refractive index based on a Nd： YA G laser feedback system, the beam frequency is shifted by a pair of aeousto-optic modulators and then the heterodyne phase measurement technique is used. The sample measured is placed in a muffle furnace with two coaxial holes opened on the opposite furnace walls. The measurement beams hit perpendicularly and coaxially on each surface of the sample. The reference beams hit on the reference mirror and the high-refiectivity mirror, respectively. By the heterodyne configuration and computing, the influences of the vibration, distortion of the sample supporter and the effect of variations in the refractive index are measured and largely minimized. For validation, the TECs of aluminum samples are determined in the temperature range of 29-748K, confirming not only the precision within 5 × 10-7 K-1 and the accuracy within 0.4% from 298K to 448K but also the high sensitivity non-contact measurement of the lower reflectivity surface induced by the sample oxidization from 448 K to 748 K.

A behavior and physiology-based decision support tool to predict thermal comfort and stress in non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and late-gestation sows

Background:Although thermal indices have been proposed for swine,none to our knowledge differentiate by reproductive stage or predict thermal comfort using behavioral and physiological data.The study objective was to develop a behavior and physiology-based decision support tool to predict thermal comfort and stress in multiparous(3.28±0.81)non-pregnant(n=11),mid-gestation(n=13),and late-gestation(n=12)sows.Results:Regression analyses were performed using PROC MIXED in SAS 9.4 to determine the optimal environmental indicator[dry bulb temperature(TDB)and dew point]of heat stress(HS)in non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and lategestation sows with respiration rate(RR)and body temperature(TB)successively used as the dependent variable in a cubic function.A linear relationship was observed for skin temperature(T_(S))indicating that TDB rather than the sow HS response impacted T_(S)and so T_(S)was excluded from further analyses.Reproductive stage was significant for all analyses(P<0.05).Heat stress thresholds for each reproductive stage were calculated using the inflections points of RR for mild HS and TB for moderate and severe HS.Mild HS inflection points differed for non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and late gestation sows and occurred at 25.5,25.1,and 24.0℃,respectively.Moderate HS inflection points differed for non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and late gestation sows and occurred at 28.1,27.8,and 25.5℃,respectively.Severe HS inflection points were similar for non-pregnant and mid-gestation sows(32.9℃)but differed for late-gestation sows(30.8℃).These data were integrated with previously collected behavioral thermal preference data to estimate the TDB that non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and late-gestation sows found to be cool(TDB<TDB preference range),comfortable(TDB=TDB preference range),and warm(TDB preference range<TDB<mild HS).Conclusions:The results of this study provide valuable information about thermal comfort and thermal stress thresholds in sows at three reproductive stages.The development of a behavior and physiology-based decision support tool to predict thermal comfort and stress in non-pregnant,mid-gestation,and late-gestation sows is expected to provide swine producers with a more accurate means of managing sow environments.

Assessment of hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity of the deep offshore Lamu Basin, Kenya

In this study, the secondary well data for Cretaceous to Miocene cutting samples in four deep offshore exploration wells, i.e., Pomboo-1 in the north, Kubwa-1 in the central, Simba-1 and Kiboko-1 in the south of the deep offshore Lamu Basin were assessed for identifying source rock presence and examining thermal maturity of the source rocks. The 2D basin modelling was used to analyse the bulk gas transformation in the basin. Total organic carbon (TOC) content values for the wells range from 0.09 wt % to 2.23 wt % with an average of 0.78 wt %. The average organic richness is higher in the Upper Cretaceous (0.83 wt %) than in the Palaeogene (0.65 wt %), Lower Cretaceous (0.28 wt %) and Upper Jurassic (0.30 wt %). The S_(1) averages for the Upper Cretaceous are 3.76 mg HC/g rock in Pomboo-1 and 0.31mg HC/g rock in Kubwa-1. The S_(2) averages for the Upper Cretaceous are 5.00 mg HC/g rock in Pomboo-1 and 0.72 mg HC/g rock in Kubwa-1. Hydrogen index (HI) values vary between 4 and 512 mg HC/g TOC with an average of 157.09 mg HC/g TOC. Organic matters were identified as mixed types of Ⅱ-Ⅲ (oil and gas prone) and Ⅲ-Ⅳ (gas prone) kerogen in the potential source rocks. The HI and S_(2) yield values are exceptionally high for the observed TOC values in Pomboo-1. The vitrinite reflectance and Tmax values of deep offshore Lamu Basin are in the ranges of 0.38%–0.72% and 360–441 ℃, respectively. It suggests the existence of both immature and mature source rocks. Vitrinite reflectance maturity favours near coastal region in the Upper Cretaceous. These results explain why Pomboo-1, Kubwa-1, Simba-1 and Kiboko-1 wells were dry. The temperatures are still cool for hydrocarbon generation in deep offshore. The critical risk for deep offshore Lamu Basin is charge, primarily source presence, and a lack of definitive evidence of a deep-water marine source rock being present. The four wells penetrate good quality reservoir and seal rocks, but source rock presence and maturity remain the critical play risk in the deep offshore Lamu Basin.

Outdoor Universal Thermal Comfort Index Climatology for Alaska

Data from 456 surface meteorological sites in Alaska, eastern Russia and northwest Canada for 1979-2017 were used to model hourly universal thermal comfort indices (UTCIs) under consideration of Alaska-appropriate clothing. The results served to determine a high-resolution climatology of thermal comfort levels for Alaska at various temporal and spatial scales as well as the frequency of thermal stress levels. On 1979-2017 average, various degrees of cold stress occurred with highest percentage on the Alaska West Coast and along the Arctic Ocean. In the continental and Inside Passage region, no thermal stress had the highest percentage of occurrence. In Interior Alaska, both strong heat and extreme cold stress occurred occasionally. At most sites and in all Alaska K&ouml;ppen-Geiger bio-climate regions, the absolute range between monthly means of daily minimum and maximum UTCIs was larger than that of monthly means of daily minimum and maximum air temperatures. Major contributors to thermal discomfort (shortwave radiation, air temperature, moisture, wind speed) varied among bio-climate regions and in the diurnal and annual courses.

Thermal and Stress Analysis of Early Age Concrete for Spread Footing

The early age performance of spread footing, especially the growth of cracks, is deeply influenced by the heat of hydration of cement. In this paper, 3D finite element method(FEM)models are set up to analyze the temperature distribution and thermal stresses of the spread footing during the first seven days after concrete placement. The mechanical properties of early age concrete are calculated, which are further used in the FEM models. The possibilities of crack growth are estimated by the method of crack index. The crack indexes of quite a number of points are very close to the allowable limit of 1.0 during the last three days. It is also indicated that the influence of foundation ring on the thermal stresses of concrete can be neglected.

The shortest period of coal spontaneous combustion on the basis of oxidative heat release intensity

It’s necessary to forecast the shortest spontaneous combustion period for preventing and controlling the coal spontaneous combustion.During the experimental process,a calculating model of the SSCP is established on the basis of the oxidative heat release intensity and thermal capacity at different temperatures.According to the basic parameters of spontaneous combustion,heat of water evaporation and gas desorption,the SSCPs of different coals are further predicted.Finally,this study analyzed the relationships of the SSCP and the judging indexes of the self-ignite tendency.The result shows that the SSCP non-linearly increases with the decrease of dynamic oxygen adsorption and increase of activation energy.Compared with the practical fire situation of mine,this reliable method can meet the actual requirement of mine production.

Simulation and Experimental Method for Microwave Oven

The simulation software, HFSS （high frequency structure simulator）, is introduced in microwave oven design. In the cold test, a network analyzer is used to measure the reflection coefficient （S11） of the cavity under empty and loaded states over the frequency range from 2.448 GHz to 2.468 GHz. In the hot test, a piece of wet thermal paper and an infrared thermal imaging camera are used to measure the electric field distributions on the mica and turntable. In the cold test, the simulation agrees well with the experiment no matter in empty state or loaded state. In the hot test, the simulation agrees well with the experiment in general in empty state and approximately in loaded state. The little difference in both cold and hot test may be due to that the model in simulation is not absolutely identical with that in experiment or the inadequate precision of infrared thermal imaging camera.

INTERANNUAL VARIATION OF INDEX OF EAST ASIAN LAND-SEA THERMAL DIFFERENCE AND ITS RELATION TO MONSOON CIRCULATION AND RAINFALL OVER CHINA

This paper proposes an index of land-sea thermal difference(ILSTD)that describes its zonal and meridional strength responsible for East Asian monsoon circulation to study its relation to the East Asian monsoon circulation and the summer rainfall over China on an interannual basis.Results are as follows:(1)ILSTD can be used to measure the strength of East Asian summer monsoon in such a way that the strong(weak)ILSTD years are associated with strong(weak)summer monsoon circulation.(2)The index also reflects well summer rainfall anomaly over the eastern part of China. In the strong index years,rain belt is mainly located over the northern China,and serious drought emerges in the Jianghuai valleys and mid-lower reaches of the Changjiang River,along with increase of rainfall in North and South China,but in the weak years it is contrary.(3)Besides,the index has obvious QBO and quasi 4-year oscillations,but the periods and amplitudes have significant changes on an interdecadal basis.

A thermal physical index to explore current tectonic activity with satellite remote sensing

The use of satellite thermal infrared information is being developed as a method of exploring current tectonic activity. To realize real world application, an objective, stable and testable thermal physical index that is simultaneously related with tectonic activity must be established. From the viewpoint of the energy balance, the land surface is a boundary where energy is exchanged between outer space and the solid Earth. Regardless of how complex the influencing factors are, the land surface is mainly affected by the Sun, atmosphere and underground heat. In this paper, first, the relationships among land surface temperature, solar radiation, atmospheric temperature and thermal information from underground are obtained employing a mathematic physical method based on the equation of heat conduction and energy balance at the land surface. Second, a thermal physical index called the geothermal flux index (GFI), which can provide the activity state of underground heat, is constructed. Third, the theoretical basis of the thermal physical index is verified using stable annual variations in land surface temperature and solar radiation. Finally, combined with known crustal deformations derived using a global positioning system, the effectiveness of the GFI in extracting field tectonic motion is tested. The results indicate that the GFI is effective in providing information on current tectonic activity.

Changes in thermal comfortable condition in the Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau from 1979 to 2020

Qinghai‒Tibet Plateau(QTP)is one of the most sensitive regions to climate change in the world.As a result,people in the QTP are more likely to be sensitively affected by climate change than those in other regions,particularly in the poverty area.Using the Universal Thermal Climate Index(UTCI)derived from ERA5 and population data,changes in annual thermal comfort condition and population under such condition in the QTP are systematically analyzed.The results reveal that there is considerable regional heterogeneity in the distribution of UTCI and the number of comfortable days(CDs),mainly due to the complex geographic features.In most areas of the QTP,the increase in UTCI leads to an increased number of comfortable days.Spatial distribution and temporal change in the number of comfortable days are found to be principally related to altitude.In areas within altitudes of 3000–4500 m,the number of comfortable days increases by up to 6 d per decade,which is faster than that in higher elevation areas above 4500 m.Results also indicate that thermal comfortable condition has improved in areas of 2500–5000 m(medium to high altitude),particularly in spring and autumn.Further research indicates that population distribution also shows a regional clustering feature,with the majority of residents residing in cities and their vicinities,where a higher number of comfortable days were observed.Most areas with a greater number of comfortable days have experienced a more significant increase in population under thermal comfortable conditions.It implies that climate change more likely has a large influence on population in the QTP.These findings are expected to enhance tourism development and the assessment of the impact on the living environment.The findings can be helpful for optimizing of tourism development and better understanding how climate change affects population distribution.

Atlas of heating:Identifying regional climate-dependent heat demands in residential buildings of Iran

Due to different latitudes and variation of altitude in geographical areas in Iran,the climatic conditions of Iran are such that the variations of the heating degree-days(HDD)are in a broad range of 60 to 3000 for residential buildings in different climatic regions.In addition,in many cases,the building design and construction processes follow patterns which do not necessarily meet national energy requirements and standards.Based on these two reasons,it is essential to identify the current status of energy consumption indicators in residential buildings.That way,it gets more convenient to adopt new strategies to improve the current state of energy consumption of buildings.In this study,heating energy consumption indices of residential buildings is investigated.Using the combination of the results of statistical data analysis,questionnaires,filled in for 500 buildings,and a reference building simulation in different climates of Iran,the heating atlas of residential buildings was prepared.According to the results,the average heating energy index(HE1)of buildings in Iran can be less than 1 to more than 41.3(m^(3)(N.G)/(m^(2)-yr))depending on climatic conditions and building design and construction quality.However,in the coldest center of province,the average of this index is 26.3(m^(3)(N.G)/(m^(2)-yr))in the hottest one that is equal 2.2.The variations of the thermal base load(supply of hot water)varied from less than 13.12 to more than 378.84(m^(3)(N.G)/(person-yr)).In provincial capitals,the lowest thermal base load index(TBLI)of buildings is 24.78 and the highest is 226.49(m^(3)(N.G)/(person-yr)).In this paper,beside charts and tables,results of heating energy consumption indices are also presented in the form of graphical atlases,i.e.color contour plots,to deliver a better picture of the whole country.