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Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO 2 Levels inside a Classroom

Author

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  • Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Abelardo Rodríguez-León

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Carretera Panamericana km 1080, Tuxtla Gutierrez 29000, Mexico)

  • Martín Hernández-Ordoñez

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Mario Díaz-González

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

  • Felipe de Jesús Pozos-Texon

    (Tecnológico Nacional de México, Instituto Tecnológico de Veracruz, Calzada Miguel Ángel de Quevedo 2779, Veracruz 91860, Mexico)

Abstract

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, guaranteeing thermal comfort and low CO 2 levels in classrooms through efficient ventilation has become vitally important. This study presents three-dimensional simulations based on computational fluid dynamics of airflow inside an air-conditioned classroom located in Veracruz, Mexico. The analysis included various positions of an air extractor, Reynolds numbers up to 3.5 × 10 4 , four different concentrations of pollutant sources, and three different times of the day. The simulations produced velocity, air temperature, and CO 2 concentrations fields, and we calculated average air temperatures, average CO 2 concentrations, and overall ventilation effectiveness. Our results revealed an optimal extractor position and Reynolds number conducive to thermal comfort and low CO 2 levels due to an adequate ventilation configuration. At high pollutant concentrations, it is necessary to reduce the number of students in the classroom to achieve safe CO 2 levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon & Abelardo Rodríguez-León & Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon & Martín Hernández-Ordoñez & Mario Díaz-González & Felipe de Jesús Pozos-Texon, 2022. "Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO 2 Levels inside a Classroom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:5:p:2956-:d:763279
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    References listed on IDEAS

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