Mobile QR Code QR CODE : Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering
Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering

Korean Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineering

ISO Journal TitleKorean J. Air-Cond. Refrig. Eng.
  • Open Access, Monthly
Open Access Monthly
  • ISSN : 1229-6422 (Print)
  • ISSN : 2465-7611 (Online)
Title Experimental and Modeling Study of Buoyancy-Driven Infiltration in a Small Auditorium during Heating Operation
Authors Jong Seok Yoon ; Young Il Kim
DOI https://doi.org/10.6110/KJACR.2026.38.7.393
Page pp.393-403
ISSN 1229-6422
Keywords 환기횟수; 강당; 부력; 난방; 실내공기질; 환기 Air change per hour; Auditorium; Buoyancy; Heating; Indoor air quality; Ventilation
Abstract This study analyzed infiltration characteristics driven by thermal buoyancy during winter heating in a 604 m³ auditorium. Temperature, humidity, and CO₂ concentration were measured under five conditions: natural ventilation, and outdoor air damper opening ratios of 0% and 30% (both with and without heating). The lowest air change rate was observed during natural ventilation at 0.197 h?¹. With the outdoor air damper at 0%, the air change rate during heating was 1.127 h?¹, which was 0.351 h?¹ higher than the non-heating condition (0.776 h?¹). At a 30% damper opening, the air change rate during heating was 1.351 h?¹, an increase of 0.254 h?¹ compared to the non-heating condition (1.097 h?¹). This increase is attributed to the elevated indoor temperature during heating, which creates a density difference between indoor and outdoor air, leading to pressure differences. Consequently, the outdoor pressure becomes higher than the indoor pressure in the lower part of the building envelope, causing infiltration, while the outdoor pressure becomes lower in the upper part, resulting in exfiltration. An analytical model incorporating thermal buoyancy was developed to calculate infiltration through five doors and envelope cracks. The model's results showed excellent agreement with measurements, with errors of 0.14% at 0% opening and 0.26% at 30%. The proposed analytical model can effectively predict infiltration rates during heating operation.