RAG 121 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1

DR. CHRISTOPHER HENG YII SERN

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
When cold & hot meets
Thermal equilibrium

Happens when there is no net transfer of

thermal energy between two isolated
systems when they are connected by a
diathermal (vs diabatic) wall.
Thermal equilibrium
Thermal equilibrium
HEAT TRANSFER
Heat Transfer

• Process of thermal exchange between different systems.

• Generally, will be from the hotter system to the cooler system.
Heat Transfer

Affected by these mechanisms (measurable):

• Air temperature • Radiant temperature • Temperature of contacting objects

• Humidity • Air velocity • Presence of surface water

Heat Transfer

Affected by these mechanisms (unmeasurable):

• Clothing • Metabolic heat • Wellbeing and sickness

Heat Transfer

Affected by these mechanisms (unmeasurable):

Represented by standards such as:

-Predicted Mean Vote (PMV)

-Percentage People Dissatisfied (PPD)

PMV & PPD: https://www.simscale.com/blog/2019/09/what-is-pmv-ppd/

Heat Transfer

Mechanisms of heat transfer

Conduction Convection Radiation

DEFINITION Conduction
• Diffusion of internal heat within a body as a result of
a temperature difference across it

Source: pexels.com
IN BUILDING Conduction
• Main potential heat transfer mechanisms by which the
internal heating or cooling can be lost to the outside,
resulting in high operating costs, high carbon
emissions and occupant discomfort
• Expressed by a material's R-Value
• Inhibited by insulating materials which have a
high thermal resistance to reduce heat transfer between
the inside and outside

R-value: https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/R-value

Source: pexels.com
Convection DEFINITION
• Movement of a fluid, such as the air, by advection and diffusion
• Moderate internal temperatures
• Reduce the accumulation of moisture, odours and other gases that
can build up during occupied periods
• Improve the comfort of occupants

Source: pexels.com
Convection IN BUILDING
• Air movement in buildings can be 'forced' or 'natural’ (natural
ventilation) resulting from pressure differences
• Predicting the movement of air within buildings is extremely
complicated
• Require the use of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software

Source: pexels.com
Radiation DEFINITION
• Electromagnetic radiation emitted by a body with a
temperature above absolute zero (0°K)
• Amount of energy emitted depends on the temperature of the
surface and its ability to emit energy
• Difference in the amount of radiation emitted and absorbed by
a body may result in a net heat transfer which will produce a
change in the temperature of that body

Source: pexels.com
HEAT DETECTION
Detecting Heat

Simulation Simulation Thermal Camera

Detecting Heat

Simulation Simulation Thermal Camera Thermal Camera

Detecting Heat

Simulation Simulation Thermal Camera Thermal Camera USM

Detecting Heat

Simulation Thermal Camera Thermal Camera USM USM

Detecting Heat

Thermal Camera Thermal Camera USM USM USM

Detecting Heat

Thermal Camera USM USM USM

Detecting Heat

USM USM USM

HEAT, HUMAN & BUILDING
Heat, Human & Building

HUMAN
Heat, Human & Building

URBAN HEAT ISLAND

Heat, Human & Building

URBAN HEAT ISLAND

• Main contributors:
 Increased Energy Consumption
 Elevated Emissions of Air Pollutants and Greenhouse
Gases
 Impaired Water Quality
Heat, Human & Building

TROPICS
• Heat gain issue
Heat, Human & Building

TROPICS
• Heat gain issue
Heat, Human & Building

TROPICS
• Heat gain issue
Heat, Human & Building

TROPICS
• Heat gain issue
Heat, Human & Building

TROPICS
• Heat gain issue
Heat, Human & Building

Door &
Wall Floor Roof Window

• Essential to determine the design of building fabric

Heat, Human & Building

• Designing thermal systems based on requirement

• Minimise consumption of resources
Heat, Human & Building

THERMAL SYSTEM PASSIVE

• Shading
• Windows
• Insulation
• Thermal mass
• Natural ventilation

Source: pexels.com
Heat, Human & Building

ACTIVE THERMAL SYSTEM

• Heating
• Cooling
• Air-conditioning

Source: pexels.com
THANK YOU
RAG 121 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE 1
DR. CHRISTOPHER HENG YII SERN