This section provides downloads and links to articles, papers, reports and diagrams, plus relevant and related guides.
The project deliverables will also be accessible here, and shall be added to whilst the project progresses.
File size: 9mb
Claudia Leliveld
Supervisor: Prof. dr. ir.-arch. Jelle Laverge
Counsellors: Dr. ir.-arch. Eline Himpe, Prof. Ongun Berk Kazanci (Danish Technical University), Dr. ir. Rick Kramer (Maastricht University), Prof. ir. Wim Boydens
Abstract
GEOTABS buildings use geothermal energy to heat and cool the building by use of a heat exchanger and heat pump. This energy efficient method can possibly partly give an answer to the changing climate. The thermally activated building system (TABS) are hydronic pipes embedded in the building structure that exchange heat to and from the surrounding concrete in order to heat or cool the rooms. This type of radiant heating and cooling should at the same time provide a comfortable thermal environment. As this system uses moderate supply temperatures and large surfaces for heat exchange, it is expected to be able to create a rather uniform indoor environment for a long time. This technology is up to now mostly present in offices, but research is going on in order to implement it in more types of buildings. This thesis wants to examine if GEOTABS and elderly homes can form a good combination. Therefore research is first done to find what thermal comfort is and how it can be established. In addition, information is looked for to see if elderly experience thermal comfort the same way as younger people or not. In a new elderly home that uses GEOTABS, measurements are done and questionnaires are gathered to gain insight in the existing thermal environment and the experience of the residents. This data is then compared to the stated benefits of TABS concerning thermal comfort and to the design criteria of thermal comfort models. Multiple advantages of radiant heating and cooling systems could be recognised and above all most of the elderly felt comfortable in the elderly home. Nevertheless some improvements can still be made to create an even more comfortable environment. Based on all this information it can be confirmed that GEOTABS are suitable for use in elderly homes.
File size: 9mb
Author: Jane D’haeze
Supervisors: prof. dr. ir.-arch. Jelle Laverge, prof. dr. ir.-arch. Marijke Steeman Begeleiders: dr. ir.-arch. Eline Himpe, prof. ir. Wim Boydens, ir.-arch. Stijn Van de Putte
In this paper, the environmental impact of thermally activated floors is studied in order to define if this type of emission system is a sustainable technology. The environmental impact is estimated using life-cycle impact assessment, more specifically with the MMG-method. In the process of examining thermally activated floors, three sub-studies are carried out. Firstly, the environmental impact of the building materials in a storey floor are examined by layer. Secondly, different floor compositions, with or without integrated radiant heating or cooling, are assessed. Thirdly, an impact assessment for both material and energy use is made for three common scenarios, where a system with concrete core activation is compared to two conventional heating and cooling systems, in an office building.
Download PhD hereFile size: 26mb
File size: 19mb
File size: 8mb
Possibilities and Limitations of Thermally Activated Building Systems
PhD Thesis by Benjamin Behrendt, 2016
Department of Civil Engineering, Technical University of Denmark
Benjamin's PhD study at DTU investigated the potential of using TABS in different climates in Europe. It could be a useful source of information for those working with TABS systems and integration within the hybridGEOTABS proposal.
Download the thesis