Research on Ventilation and Airflow Distribution of Building Systems

A special issue of Buildings (ISSN 2075-5309). This special issue belongs to the section "Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 July 2025 | Viewed by 1983

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Building Services Science and Engineering, Xi 'an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710005, China
Interests: built environment; zero carbon and sustainability; indoor air quality; energy efficiency; industrial ventilation
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Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering, Chang’an University, Xi'an 710061, China
Interests: built environment; zero carbon and sustainability; urban climate; building ventilation; renewable energy technology

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Guest Editor
Energy School, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710055, China
Interests: built environment; aerosol particle; droplet phase change; air quality; ventilation strategies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Ventilation and airflow distribution are key factors involved in ensuring indoor air quality and energy efficiency in buildings. This Special Issue will collect and showcase the latest research findings in this field, especially in applications in large public buildings, industrial buildings, and special clean building environments. We pay special attention to the design of energy-efficient ventilation systems, the simulation and optimization of airflow dynamics, the monitoring and management of indoor air quality, and integration with smart building technologies.

The scope of the work includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- Ventilation system design and pollutant control strategies for industrial buildings;

- Ventilation system analysis and optimization for large-space public buildings;

- Airflow distribution and pollution control techniques for clean buildings;

- Thermal management and airflow distribution in data centers;

- Energy-efficiency analysis and energy-saving technologies for ventilation systems;

- Application of intelligent control in the management of ventilation systems;

- Ventilation strategies and sustainable design practices for green buildings;

- Research on ventilation safety and health impacts in special environments.

We sincerely invite scholars, researchers, and professionals from around the world to submit their high-quality research papers in these fields, thus jointly promoting the development of ventilation technology and the improvement of indoor air quality.

Prof. Dr. Zhixiang Cao
Dr. Zijing Tan
Dr. Jia-Ning Fan
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Buildings is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • built environment
  • building ventilation
  • zero carbon and sustainability
  • indoor air quality
  • energy efficiency
  • ventilation strategies
  • airflow distribution techniques

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 7357 KiB  
Article
Numerical Study on Long-Distance Heating System Based on High-Velocity Jet at Ambient Temperature for Induced Air Supply
by Jingwen Zhang, Yuqing Bai, Zhixiang Cao, Zefang Yang and Wenchao Lv
Buildings 2025, 15(6), 979; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15060979 - 20 Mar 2025
Viewed by 166
Abstract
In the long-distance thermal air heating process of large space buildings, there are common problems of thermal air trajectory deflection and low energy efficiency caused by thermal buoyancy. This study proposes an induced air supply system that is easy to design for integration; [...] Read more.
In the long-distance thermal air heating process of large space buildings, there are common problems of thermal air trajectory deflection and low energy efficiency caused by thermal buoyancy. This study proposes an induced air supply system that is easy to design for integration; that is, adding a high-velocity ambient temperature induced airflow above the thermal jet, which can instantly and efficiently suppress the buoyancy of the thermal jet and maintain its axial center temperature, thereby achieving good heating performance. This study uses a numerical simulation method to analyze the effect of the induced airflow and compares the flow field characteristics and heating performance of a single thermal jet and an induced air supply system. The results show that the greater the velocity of the induced airflow, the wider the control range of the thermal jet; the induced airflow can reduce the mixing of the thermal jet and the ambient airflow, and effectively suppress the deflection of the thermal jet and increase its axial center temperature; when the target area is close to the air inlet (y/D ≤ 7.5), the single thermal jet air supply can be used, because too small a deflection height will cause more induced airflow to enter the target area, which will worsen the heating effect. The induced air supply system is best for improving the average temperature of the target area at y/D = 15; as the target distance increases, on the premise of ensuring the blowing feeling, it is possible to consider increasing the induced airflow velocity to obtain a higher heating gain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Ventilation and Airflow Distribution of Building Systems)
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17 pages, 1800 KiB  
Article
Occupancy and Air Quality Model for Outdoor Events: A Strategy for Preventing Disease Transmission at Mass Events
by Álvaro Romero-Barriuso, Jesús Manuel Ballesteros-Álvarez, Blasa María Villena-Escribano, Ángel Rodríguez-Sáiz and Cristina González-Gaya
Buildings 2025, 15(5), 677; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15050677 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 317
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel model to determine occupancy density for outdoor events to prevent infectious disease transmission caused by the impossibility of proper dilution of human effluents in the atmosphere. It uses standardization processes to calculate natural ventilation air renewal and establishes [...] Read more.
This paper proposes a novel model to determine occupancy density for outdoor events to prevent infectious disease transmission caused by the impossibility of proper dilution of human effluents in the atmosphere. It uses standardization processes to calculate natural ventilation air renewal and establishes theoretical occupancy based on activity and exhaled air percentage, aiming for indoor air quality comparable to the IDA2 standards. The study focuses on mass events in Mostoles (Spain), analyzing street activities and bullring events. It found that above a certain height in the open air, infection risk is low, eliminating capacity limitations. The resulting mathematical expressions can be adapted to different pathogens, ensuring the quality of indoor air conditions through capacity control. The process determines the ventilation required based on physical activity, considering both unrestricted and restricted situations. The relationship between required and available ventilation prevents disease transmission. The method’s effectiveness is demonstrated through comparisons between estimates and environmental measurements during Mostoles events. The maximum outdoor occupancy at ground level to achieve air quality comparable to the IDA2 standards is determined to be 2.36 persons/m2, while to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 it is determined to be 1.98 persons/m2. In addition, transmission will not occur during mass gatherings in locations over five meters above ground level. In conclusion, this model provides an adaptable tool to prevent the spread of infectious diseases at outdoor events by ensuring adequate air quality through occupancy control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Ventilation and Airflow Distribution of Building Systems)
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15 pages, 2939 KiB  
Article
Structural Optimization of Disk Diffusers Based on Radial Basis Functions and Multi-Island Genetic Algorithms
by Mengchao Liu and Jianing Fan
Buildings 2025, 15(4), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15040604 - 15 Feb 2025
Viewed by 367
Abstract
HVAC systems are major energy consumers in buildings, accounting for 30% to 50% of total energy usage. Supply outlets, as the terminal devices of HVAC systems, significantly influence the system’s operational performance, energy consumption, and indoor environmental quality. However, current designs and performance [...] Read more.
HVAC systems are major energy consumers in buildings, accounting for 30% to 50% of total energy usage. Supply outlets, as the terminal devices of HVAC systems, significantly influence the system’s operational performance, energy consumption, and indoor environmental quality. However, current designs and performance optimizations of supply outlets still encounter challenges such as high resistance and low energy efficiency, posing substantial obstacles to building energy conservation, indoor air quality, and fan energy consumption. To address the optimization of resistance reduction and efficiency enhancement for local components (specifically the supply outlets) in HVAC systems, this study focuses on the commonly used disk diffusers. Utilizing a combined research methodology that integrates theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, full-scale experiments, surrogate model prediction, and multi-island genetic algorithm optimization, this study investigates both fluid flow and resistance distribution characteristics. The ADEI comprehensive evaluation index is employed to assess the operational energy efficiency of the disk diffusers. Based on an optimized Latin hypercube sampling method and incorporating RBF surrogate models, surrogate models relating the structural parameters of disk diffusers to their resistance and range are developed. A multi-island genetic algorithm is then applied to optimize the RBF surrogate models. The optimization results demonstrate that the new type of disk diffuser achieves a 33.07% reduction in ADEI compared to traditional disk diffusers, while resistance decreases by 23.10% and jet length increases by 7.19%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Ventilation and Airflow Distribution of Building Systems)
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33 pages, 13995 KiB  
Article
Ventilation Optimization Based on Spatial-Temporal Distribution and Removal Efficiency of Patient-Exhaled Pollutants in Hospital Wards During the Post-Epidemic Period
by Min Chen and Qingyu Wang
Buildings 2024, 14(12), 3827; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14123827 - 28 Nov 2024
Viewed by 690
Abstract
Given the potential risks of unknown and emerging infectious respiratory diseases, prioritizing an appropriate ventilation strategy is crucial for controlling aerosol droplet dispersion and mitigating cross-infection in hospital wards during post-epidemic periods. This study optimizes the layout of supply diffusers and exhaust outlets [...] Read more.
Given the potential risks of unknown and emerging infectious respiratory diseases, prioritizing an appropriate ventilation strategy is crucial for controlling aerosol droplet dispersion and mitigating cross-infection in hospital wards during post-epidemic periods. This study optimizes the layout of supply diffusers and exhaust outlets in a typical two-bed ward, employing a downward-supply and bottom-exhaust airflow pattern. Beyond ventilation, implementing strict infection control protocols is crucial, including regular disinfection of high-touch surfaces. CO2 serves as a surrogate for exhaled gaseous pollutants, and a species transport model is utilized to investigate the airflow field under various configurations of vents. Comparisons of CO2 concentrations at the respiratory planes of patients, accompanying staff (AS), and healthcare workers (HCWs) across nine cases are reported. A discrete phase model (DPM) is employed to simulate the spatial-temporal dispersion characteristics of four different particle sizes (3 μm, 12 μm, 20 μm, and 45 μm) exhaled by the infected patient (Patient 1) over 300 s. Ventilation effectiveness is evaluated using indicators like contaminant removal efficiency (CRE), suspension rate (SR), deposition rate (DER), and removal rate (RR) of aerosol droplets. The results indicate that Case 9 exhibits the highest CRE across all respiratory planes, indicating the most effective removal of gaseous pollutants. Case 2 shows the highest RR at 50.3%, followed by Case 1 with 40.4%. However, in Case 2, a significant portion of aerosol droplets diffuse towards Patient 2, potentially increasing the cross-infection risk. Balancing patient safety with pollutant removal efficacy, Case 1 performs best in the removal of aerosol droplets. The findings offer novel insights for the practical implementation of ventilation strategies in hospital wards, ensuring personnel health and safety during the post-epidemic period. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Ventilation and Airflow Distribution of Building Systems)
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