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Dynamic simulations have been successfully applied to the modelling of building heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) plant operation. These simulations are generally driven using time-series data as input. Whilst time-series simulations are effective, they tend to be expensive in terms of computer execution time. A possible method for reducing simulation time is to develop a probabilistic picture of the model, by characterising the model as being in one of several states. By determining the probability for being in each model state, predictions of long-term values of quantities of interest can then be obtained using ensemble averages. This study aims to investigate the applicability of the Markov modelling method for the above stated purpose in the simulation of HVAC systems. In addition, the questions of the degree of accuracy which can be expected, and the amount of time-savings which are possible are investigated. The investigation has found that the Markov modelling technique can be successfully applied to simulations of HVAC systems, but that assumptions commonly made concerning the independence of driving variables may often not be appropriate. An alternative approach to implementing the Markov method, taking into Z): account dependencies between driving variables is suggested, but requires further development to be fully effective. The accuracy of results has been found to be related to the sizes of the partial derivatives of the calculated quantity with respect to each of the variables on which it depends, the sizes of the variables' ranges, and the number of states assigned to each variable in developing the probabilistic picture of the model's state. A deterministic error bound for results from Markov simulations is also developed, based on these findings.

The finite element method is used to predict numerically steady state, two-dimensional laminar and turbulent thermal buoyant and convective recirculating flows. The governing equations are solved by the finite element method using Galerkin Weighting functions, with velocity, pressure, and temperature as dependent variables. Turbulent separating, recirculating flow in the complex geometry of a room with variable inlets, outlets and convective chimney ducts is investigated. The room is ventilated/air-conditioned utilising the solar energy via a flat plate collector and solar absorption airconditioning system. For this purpose the Navier-Stokes, continuity and general energy equations are solved in a coupled form and in an uncoupled form and solutions are compared amongst themselves and with the experimental results of hot wire anemometers and thermocouples. The parts where turbulent flows occurred especially in the convective duct and the room, the flows are analysed using the Prandtl- Kolmöjorov model to depict the effective viscosity. The analogy between thermal and momentum diffusivity via Prandtl number is used to depict the turbulent conductivity from the turbulent viscosity. The length scale of turbulence is specified as an algebraic function of position from empirical data and experience of other researchers . The kinetic energy is expressed as a function of velocity at the nodes together with the turbulence intensity which varies from ~5% - ~20%. This turbulence model is used to predict the flow including its recirculations in the solar ventilated/air-conditioned room, and the fully turbulent convective channel. The analysis includes temperature and heat transfer predictions in this complex geometry of combined free and forced convection, together with buoyancy effects and turbulent transport and recirculations. Results obtained are compared with the experimental data which showed very good agreement.

Studies on design for control optimization of air-conditioning (a/c) system for better performance in Hong Kong are reported in this thesis. Typical plant configuration data was collected from an in-depth survey of a/c systems and control used in Hong Kong. Control performance has been used for the first time as an objective for optimizing a/c system designs. The study investigates and illustrates that optimization of a/c systems for application in the Hong Kong by simulation is promising and flexible. The accuracy of simulation is enhanced by using the survey data. The survey shows that some a/c control systems and their control strategies are not well considered in the design stage and their operation and set-up are not properly addressed. Hence, there exists optimization opportunities in the a/c system design and control strategies for a/c systems used in Hong Kong. Parameters affecting the control performance of a/c systems were investigated by carrying out experiments. Identified parameters are the objective function of optimization, controller settings, control valve and drive and, in case of direct digital control, sampling rate. The influence of these factors on the control performance is an essential consideration for the entire optimization process. Strategies in applying the findings in optimizing an a/c system for control performance by simulation were developed and suggested. This study provides platform for further simulation study of optimization in both methodologies and control strategies for a/c system design and operation.

The overheating problem experienced during Islamic pilgrimage in recent years has caused serious thermal discomfort and a number of mortalities among pilgrims coming from various parts of the world to perform the annual event at Makkah in Saudi Arabia. This research aims to investigate the real dimension of thermal discomfort experienced inside the pilgrimage tents. The back bone of this task was the data collected from the field investigations during the Hajj season of 1989, including climatic measurements taken inside the tents for the first time during the Hajj season. The investigations also included a subjective evaluation for internal thermal conditions by the pilgrims from Europe, the Middle East, and South East Asia. This research also attempts to identify passive and natural cooling guidelines that are applicable to the tent's design. The author tested sets of experiments aimed to measure the thermal effects of some of the natural cooling techniques on pilgrimage tents at Makkah. The research concludes with design guidelines to improve the thermal quality of the pilgrimage tent. The recommended guidelines were based on the experimental results and practical examples of cooling strategies applied to tents in similar hot climates.

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A continuous flow microwave heating system was set up by using one domestic microwave oven (1000W nominal output at 2450MHz). Water was run through the coil centrally located inside the oven cavity for microwave heating. Microwave absorption efficiency was evaluated by measuring inlet and outlet temperatures of coil as a function of system variables. In order to optimize the coil configuration, the influence of tube diameter (6.4, 7.9 and 9.7mm); initial temperature (10, 20 and 30 ºC); number of turns (3.5, 4.5 and 5.5); coil diameter (61.5, 88, 102, 121 and 153 mm) and pitch (16, 18, 20, 22 and 24mm) were evaluated, respectively at different flow rates (240, 270, 300, 330 and 360ml/min). In helical systems, Dean number is used as a measure of secondary flow which enhances mixing of the fluid providing uniform heating even under laminar flow conditions. Results showed that microwave absorption efficiency was a compromise between coil volume and Dean number. Therefore, a helical coil (110 mm high) with a coil diameter of 108 mm, tube diameter of 8.2 mm, 5.5 turns demonstrated the highest efficiency, fast heating rate, more uniform heating and less temperature fluctuations. The optimized coil configuration parameters were used subsequently to set up continuous-flow microwave heating system.

Thermal kinetics of enzymatic time-temperature integrators (TTIs) were experimentally evaluated under both conventional and microwave heating systems in the pasteurization temperature range (50 to 90°C). Recent developments of process evaluation methodologies have Shown that standardized enzymatic time-temperature integrators (TTIs) could be successfully used for fast and correct quantification of thermal processes. Promising results have been reported for the alpha-amylase based TTI from Bacillus subtilis (BAA), which was chosen in this study as the TTI to compare the effectiveness of continuous-flow heating systems with microwave and conventional heating modes. Thermal inactivation kinetics of alpha-amylase was studied by measuring the residual activity of heat treated samples in isothermal conditions in a temperature range of 50 to 95°C and pH range, 5.0 to 6.9. Based on a first order rate of inactivation kinetics, kinetic parameters, decimal reduction time, D, and temperature sensitivity indicator, z, were calculated. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)