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Experimental investigation of thermal comfort and air quality in an automobile cabin during the cooling period

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Abstract

The air quality and thermal comfort strongly influenced by the heat and mass transfer take place together in an automobile cabin. In this study, it is aimed to investigate and assess the effects of air intake settings (recirculation and fresh air) on the thermal comfort, air quality satisfaction and energy usage during the cooling period of an automobile cabin. For this purpose, measurements (temperature, air velocity, CO2) were performed at various locations inside the cabin. Furthermore, whole body and local responses of the human subjects were noted while skin temperatures were measured. A mathematical model was arranged in order to estimate CO2 concentration and energy usage inside the vehicle cabin and verified with experimental data. It is shown that CO2 level inside of the cabin can be greater than the threshold value recommended for the driving safety if two and more occupants exist in the car. It is also shown that an advanced climate control system may satisfy the requirements for the air quality and thermal comfort as well as to reduce the energy usage for the cooling of a vehicle cabin.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge for granting test equipments to Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) under the project number 105M262, and to FIAT TOFAS for supporting the test car.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Uludag University, Gorukle Campus, Bursa, 16059, Turkey

    M. Kilic & S. M. Akyol

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  1. M. Kilic
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  2. S. M. Akyol
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Correspondence to M. Kilic.

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Kilic, M., Akyol, S.M. Experimental investigation of thermal comfort and air quality in an automobile cabin during the cooling period. Heat Mass Transfer 48, 1375–1384 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-012-0988-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00231-012-0988-8

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