Thermal analysis of buildings was carried out using simplified design tools, prior to the widespread use of computers. Since the early 1980's, the rapid growth of computational power has lead to the introduction of many building dynamic thermal simulation software programs. The accurate performance of many of these programs has lead to the view that manual calculation methods should only be used as indicative design tools. The CIBSE admittance method is based on the fundamentals of building heat transfer, its calculations procedures being simplified for use on hand held calculators. Manual calculation methods must be developed for use on more powerful calculators, if greater accuracy is required. Such calculators are available in the form of computer spreadsheet programs. The computational power of the computer spreadsheet program, combined with suitable mathematical thermal modelling techniques, has thus far, remained unexploited. This thesis describes the development of a powerful manual thermal design method, for application on a computer spreadsheet program. All the modes of building heat transfer are accurately modelled. Free-running or plant-controlled spaces can be simulated. In the case of a single zone, the accuracy of the new manual dynamic thermal model is comparable with commercially available software programs. The level of mathematical modelling complexity is limited only by computer power and user ability. The Iterative Frequency Domain Method (IFDM) and the Adiabatic Iterative Frequency Domain Method (AIFDM) are alternative mathematical simulation techniques developed to form the core of the Thermal Analysis Design Method. In the IFDM and AIFDM, the frequency domain and numerical iteration techniques have been integrated to produce a thermal simulation method that can model all non-linear heat transfer processes. A more accurate formulation of sol-air temperature, a window sol-air temperature and an accurate reduced internal long-wave radiant exchange model is a sample of further innovations in the thesis. Many of the developments described in the thesis, although designed for the computer spreadsheet environment, may also be employed to enhance the performance of some of the current dynamic thermal models of buildings.

Wards occupy significant proportions of hospital floor areas and due to their constant use, represent a worthwhile focus of study. Single-bed wards are specifically of interest owing to the isolation aspect they bring to infection control, including airborne pathogens, but threats posed by airborne pandemics and family-involvement in hospital care means cross-infection is still a potential problem. In its natural mode, ventilation driven by combined wind and buoyancy forces can lead to energy savings and achieve thermal comfort and high air change rates through secure openings. These are advantageous for controlling indoor airborne pathogens and external air and noise pollution. However, there is lack of detailed evidence and guidance is needed to gain optimum performance from available natural ventilation systems. This research is a proof of concept investigation into the feasibility and impact of natural ventilation systems targeting airflow rates, thermal comfort, heating energy and control of pathogenic bio-aerosols in hospital wards. In particular, it provides insights into the optimal areas of vent openings which could satisfy the complex three-pronged criteria of contaminant dilution, low heating energy and acceptable thermal comfort for occupants in a naturally ventilated single bed ward. The main aim of this thesis is the structured study of four systems categorised into three groups: Simple Natural Ventilation (SNV) in which single and dual-openings are used on the same external wall; Advanced Natural Ventilation (ANV) which is an emerging concept; and finally Natural Personalised Ventilation (NPV) which is an entirely new concept borne out of the limitations of previous systems and gaps in literature. The focus of this research is in the exploratory study of the weaknesses and potentials of the four systems, based on multi-criteria performances metrics within three architecturally distinct single-bed ward designs. In contributing to the body of existing knowledge, this thesis provides a better understanding of the performances of three existing systems while presenting the new NPV system. The analysis is based on dynamic thermal modelling and computational fluid dynamics and in the case of the NPV system, salt-bath experiments for validation and visualisation of transient flows. In all cases, wards were assumed to be free of mechanical ventilation systems that might influence the natural flow of air. The thesis meets three major objectives which have resulted in the following contributions to current knowledge: An understanding of the limitations and potentials of same-side openings, especially why and how dual-openings can be useful when retrofitted into existing wards. Detailed analysis of bulk airflow, thermal comfort, heating energy and room air distribution achievable from existing SNV and ANV systems, including insights to acceptable trickle ventilation rates, which will be particular useful in meeting minimum dilution and energy requirements in winter. This also includes qualitative predictions of the airflow pattern and direction obtainable from both systems. The innovation and study of a new natural ventilation system called Natural Personalised Ventilation (NPV) which provides fresh air directly over a patient s bed, creating a mixing regime in the space and evaluation of its comfort and energy performances. A low-energy solution for airborne infection control in clinical spaces is demonstrated by achieving buoyancy-driven mixing ventilation via the NPV system, and a derivative called ceiling-based natural ventilation (CBNV) is shown. A comparative analysis of four unique natural ventilation strategies including their performance rankings for airflow rates, thermal comfort, energy consumption and contaminant dilution or removal using an existing single-bed ward design as case study. Development of design and operational recommendations for future guidelines on utilising natural ventilation in single-bed wards either for refurbishment or for proposed designs. These contributions can be extended to other clinical and non-clinical spaces which are suitable to be naturally ventilated including treatment rooms, office spaces and waiting areas. The findings signify that natural ventilation is not only feasible for ward spaces but that there is opportunity for innovation in its application through further research. Future work could focus on related aspects like: impacts of fan-assisted ventilation for a hybrid flow regime; pre-heating of supply air; integration with passive heat recovery systems as well the use of full-scale experiments to fine-tune and validate findings.

Ces travaux consistent en l’étude expérimentale et numérique des performances énergétiques d’un prototype de micro-cogénération solaire. L’installation, située sur le campus de l’Université de la Rochelle, fonctionne grâce au couplage d’un champ de capteur solaire cylindro-parabolique de 46,5 m² avec un moteur à vapeur à piston non lubrifié fonctionnant selon le cycle thermodynamique de Hirn. Le système de suivi solaire s’effectue selon deux axes et l’eau est directement évaporée au sein de l’absorbeur des capteurs cylindro-paraboliques. La génération d’électricité est assurée par une génératrice et la récupération des chaleurs fatales doit permettre d’assurer les besoins en chauffage et eau chaude sanitaire d’un bâtiment. La première partie de ces travaux présente les essais réalisés. L’objectif est de réaliser des essais complémentaires pour caractériser le concentrateur solaire, d’étudier les conditions de surchauffe de la vapeur, ainsi que le fonctionnement de l’installation complète en hiver. Ce travail a permis le développement de modèles pour le capteur cylindro-paraboliques, les essais en régime surchauffé ont montré la nécessité d’un appoint pour le fonctionnement d’une telle installation tandis que les essais avec moteur présentent des productions compatibles avec les consommations en électricité et chaleur d’un bâtiment résidentiel. La seconde partie concerne la modélisation des éléments constituant le micro-cogénérateur ainsi que l’intégration de cette installation au bâtiment à l’aide d’un logiciel de simulation thermique dynamique (TRNSYS©). Cette étude propose deux options d’intégration selon le positionnement de l’appoint de chaleur. Pour les deux configurations, des bilans hebdomadaires et annuels sont présentés permettant de discuter les avantages/inconvénients de chaque disposition. Il apparaît que le positionnement de l’appoint sur le circuit primaire permet de piloter la production électrique. L’ajout de l’appoint sur la distribution semble plus facilement réalisable mais empêche le contrôle de la production électrique. / This work consists of the experimental and numerical study of the energy performance of a prototype of solar micro-cogeneration. The facility, located on the campus of the University of La Rochelle, operates by coupling a 46.5 m² parabolic trough solar collector field with an oil-free piston steam engine operating according to the Hirn thermodynamic cycle. The solar tracking system is carried out in two axes and the water is evaporated directly into the absorber of the parabolic trough collectors. Electricity generation is provided by a generator and the recovery of fatal heat must make it possible to meet the heating and domestic hot water needs of a building. The first part of this work presents the tests performed. The objective is to carry out additional tests to characterize the solar concentrator, to study the conditions of steam overheating, as well as the operation of the complete installation in winter. This work has allowed the development of models for the parabolic trough sensor, the tests in overheated mode have shown the need for an extra charge for the operation of such an installation while the tests with motor present productions compatible with the electricity and heat consumption of a residential building. The second part concerns the modelling of the elements constituting the micro-cogenerator as well as the integration of this installation into the building using dynamic thermal simulation software (TRNSYS©). This study proposes two integration options depending on the positioning of the auxiliary heater. For both configurations, weekly and annual reviews are presented to discuss the advantages/disadvantages of each provision. It appears that the positioning of the auxiliary on the primary circuit makes it possible to control the electrical production. The addition of back-up boiler on the distribution seems more easily achievable but prevents the control of power generation.