Nuno Ramos

An Experimental Device for the Measurement of Hygroscopic Inertia Influence on RH Variation

This article reports the development of an innovative flux chamber that is specifically developed for the support of experimental work that is aiming at a systematic measurement of the hygroscopic inertia influence on relative humidity (RH) variation inside rooms. This flux chamber is a flexible infrastructure where different test configurations can be run. The precise control of vapor production, inside air renovation, and system temperature allow for the reproduction, in a small-scale room, of hygrothermal scenarios that can be fully repeated in an unlimited number of cycles. Results obtained are presented in this article, relating especially to the testing and calibration procedures and highlighting the limitations and possibilities of the facility. The hygroscopic inertia effect on RH variation is demonstrated. A discussion on the perfect mixing of the air inside a room is also addressed, based on the obtained results.

Water masses surface temperatures assessment and their effect on surrounding environment

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water masses on the surface temperature with direct impact on the surrounding area. Three systems were used for the study: a fully vegetated system (subsurface flow constructed wetland (CW)), a lake with no vegetation and a lake partially vegetated with Lemna minor. Infrared thermography was applied for the different systems analysis, allowing the determination of the surface temperature spatial distribution. In general, the presence of plants and water in the analyzed systems contributed to lowering the surface temperatures when comparing to its surroundings. Differences up to about 22 °C were observed in the temperature between the CW canopy and the surrounding soil, and up to about 19 °C between the lake and the surrounding border. Different plant species (Canna flaccida, Canna indica and Zantedeschia aethiopica) inhabiting the CW were also compared and slightly higher average surface temperatures were observed for C. indica. The above mentioned results are relevant in terms of supporting a strategy for water systems inclusion, for example a lake or a CW, in a site as means of having influence in the surface temperature and to some extent in the heat island effect supporting a sustainable environmental management.

Application of Data Mining Techniques in the Analysis of Indoor Hygrothermal Conditions

The main benefit of the book is that it explores available methodologies for both conducting in-situ measurements and adequately exploring the results, based on a case study that illustrates the benefits and difficulties of concurrent methodologies. The case study corresponds to a set of 25 social housing dwellings where an extensive in situ measurement campaign was conducted. The dwellings are located in the same quarter of a city. Measurements included indoor temperature and relative humidity, with continuous log in different rooms of each dwelling, blower-door tests and complete outdoor conditions provided by a nearby weather station. The book includes a variety of scientific and engineering disciplines, such as building physics, probability and statistics and civil engineering. It presents a synthesis of the current state of knowledge for benefit of professional engineers and scientists.