11 PASSIVE COOLING

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals

1. FUNDAMENTALS

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
PASSIVE COOLING
1. � fundamentals

higher
temperature
lower
temperature

• heat flows from high temperature areas

to low temperature areas

• reverse flow can only be induced by

feeding additional energy into the thermal
system

• passive cooling seeks to use natural heat

flows whenever possible

• strategies:

� reduce heat gains (internal and

lower
� external) temperature
higher

� open a high-to-low temperature heat temperature

� flow path to divert the excess heat

� (heat removal into a suitable heat sink)
iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
PASSIVE COOLING
1. � fundamentals

• available natural heat sinks:

� ambient air (ventilation)

� evaporative cooling (adiabatic)

� radiative cooling (deep night sky)

• although limited in their capacity:

• important first steps towards reducing

cooling loads

• hence: passive cooling

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling

2. SPECIFICS OF COOLING

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
SPECIFICS OF COOLING
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling

• crucial to passive heating: access to

solar energy during winter

• crucial to passive cooling: availability of

heat sinks for heat rejection and
redirection

• important limiting factor: humidity

� high humidity limits evaporative

� cooling to high temperatures

� haze blocks radiative cooling to the

� night sky

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
SPECIFICS OF COOLING
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling

• crucial to passive heating: reducing heat losses by

means of

� thermal insulation

� low infiltrations

• crucial to passive cooling: blocking heat gains by

� solar radiation (windows!)

� internal heat sources

� latent sources (humidity)

� ... AND USING HEAT SINKS

• temperature differential beween indoor and

outdoor air is smaller for cooling purposes
iek
� hence: smaller impact of conduction and
University of Stuttgart
� infiltration Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms

3. COOLING MECHANISMS

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
COOLING MECHANISMS
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms

• relative humidity: measure of

concentration of water vapour

• expressed as a percentage of the

water vapour air can hold at a
particular temperature

• sensible heat: associated with

change in air temperature

• latent heat: associated with change

in the moisture content of air

• dewpoint temperature: temperature

at which water vapour begins to
condensate (relative humidity iek
100%)
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
iek INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION • UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Prof. José Luis Moro

psychrometric chart
 11 Passive Cooling
COOLING MECHANISMS
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms

• average residential building:

� 60 to 80% sensible heat gains

� 40 to 20% latent heat gains

• cooling strategies need to deal with

both types of loads

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates

4. THERMAL COMFORT IN HOT CLIMATES

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
THERMAL COMFORT
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates

• human thermal comfort:

� when heat flows in the human thermal

� system are balanced

� when the internal body temperature is

� near 37° C

• permanent internal heat production of

100 W

• feeling hot: when heat is absorbed and

produced faster than it is lost

• in that case, bodily responses set in like:

� perspiration (evaporative cooling)

� additional blood flow to skin surface iek

� lethargic feeling to reduce activity University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
THERMAL COMFORT
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates

• environmental determinants of comfort:

� air temperature

� relative humidity

� air motion

� mean radiant temperature (MRT)

• any combinations of these are liable to

produce the required comfort

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads

5. REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads

• main heat flows in a building:

� conduction through the building envelope

� ventilation

� unintended infiltration

� solar heat gains through windows

� internal heat generation

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS
1. � fundamentals
CONDUCTION 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction

• thermal conduction: sensible loads dependent on

differential between indoor and outdoor air temperatures

• conduction cooling loads thus increased by solar gains on

the outside surface of the envelope (increased
temperature differential)

• influencing factors:

� temperature difference across the envelope‘s section

� (delta T)

� insulating characteristics of the section

� thermal capacitance of internal masses

• control of conduction heat gains through:

� adding insulation iek

� reducing the surface area (A/V-ratio) University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

� reducing the temperature of the exteriour surface Prof. J. L. Moro

 11 Passive Cooling
REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS
1. � fundamentals
INFILTRATION, VENTILATION 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation

• infiltration, ventilation cooling load are the

result of the flow of warmer and more humid air
into the building (both sensible and latent heat
components)

• when internal heat and solar gains drive the

indoor temperature above the outdoor
temperature, infiltration and ventilation may
reduce cooling loads

• since infiltration is hardly controllable it should

be curtailed (infiltration barrier)

• however, ventilation (natural or forced) needs

be controllable to allow for minimum hygienic
air exchange and for necessary cooling
iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS
1. � fundamentals
SOLAR LOADS 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads

• solar loads affect both opaque and glazed

surfaces

• however, gains through glazed surfaces

significantly exceed those through opaque walls

• hence, orientation and size of transparent or

translucent surfaces are to be carefully designed

• since solar gains through windows are desirable in

winter, glazed surfaces should be adaptive (solar
protection)

• horizontal, east and west oriented glass produces

the largest cooling loads, south oriented the least
iek
• external shading is the most efficient method to
University of Stuttgart
reduce solar loads Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
REDUCTION OF COOLING LOADS
1. � fundamentals
INTERNAL HEAT GAINS 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains

• internal heat gains are due to:

� presence of people

� mechanical and electrical equipment

• sensible gains: e. g. light bulb

• latent gains: e. g. human respiration,

bathing, gas combustion (water vapour)

• excess lighting due to solar shading

increases cooling loads significantly
(paradox)

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes

6. VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• ventilation provides cooling by carrying away
heat by means of moving air (natural or
forced movement)

• may involve either the building (open sys-

tem) or the human body (closed system)

• prerequisite: outdoor air temperature must

be below indoor air temperature (building
cooling)

• atmosphere is a heat sink with virtually

unlimited capacity

• buildings can be ventilated at night when the

ambient air is cool to take advantage of the iek
storing effect of thermal masses (heat sink)
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• main ventilation mechanisms available:

� wind-driven ventilation

� stack-effect ventilation

� forced ventilation (electric fans)

� solar chimneys

� ceiling and space fans

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
WIND-INDUCED VENTILATION 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• air movement is induced by air 6.1� wind-induced ventilation

pressure differential between

- +
windward and leeward sides of the
building

• amount of wind-induced flow is

proportional to window area

• fully-opening windows (casement,

awning windows) are convenient

• architectural features like wind

towers (e. g. malqaf, badgir) may
benefit the cooling effect

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
traditional type of malqaf ventilation

iek INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION • UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Prof. José Luis Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
STACK-EFFECT VENTILATION 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• warmer air lis lighter and thus more 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
buoyant than cooler air
warm

• the temperature differential

(stacking) induces a forced upward
flow
cool
• comparatively weak form of
ventilation with small flow volumes

• especially adequate for large hall-

like spaces

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
FORCED VENTILATION 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• most consistently effective means of providing 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
ventilation
6.3� forced ventilation

• relatively small amount of energy required for

operation

interiour fans provide air circulation inside:

� remove heat from the occupants

� without changing the indoor air temperature

• potential problems: excess air speed and noise

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
INTERIOUR THERMAL MASS COOLING 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• extensively used to: 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
� store excess heat during the day 6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
� release it at night

• however: lack of large temperature differential

• driving force: day-to night variation in ambient

temperature (benefits the cooling effect)

• hence: increased air circulation during

nighttime required (nocturnal ventilation)

• thermal masses increase nighttime indoor

temperatures (as compared to lightweight
construction)
iek

• exposed thermal mass surfaces required University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
VENTILATION FOR COOLING PURPOSES
1. � fundamentals
SOLAR CHIMNEYS 2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• solar chimneys are stack-effect 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
ventilators
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
• driving force: passive solar heat

• also called: solar-enhanced ventilators

• inlet draws air from indoors

• outlet discharges to the outdoors

• as indoor air evacuates, (cooler)

outdoor air flows into the building

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
7. EVAPORATIVE COOLING 6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
EVAPORATIVE COOLING
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• by evaporation of water the 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
sensible heat content decreases
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
• heat is absorbed by the phase 7.� evaporative cooling
change of water (liquid to gaseous)

• hence, moisture content of the air

rises

• dry ambient air is beneficial to this

process

• limit of the cooling process: when

relative humidity reaches the
saturation point (100%)
iek
• direct evaporative cooling: misting
University of Stuttgart
of the inlet air Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
8. RADIATIVE COOLING 6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
RADIATIVE COOLING
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• outer space has a constant temperature 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
near absolute zero, i. e. -273° C
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
• although warmer, the sky all the same 7.� evaporative cooling
provides a suitable natural heat sink for 8. � radiative cooling

cooling

• heat is rejected through radiation heat

transfer

• a temperature differential is necessary for

this effect to develop

• unobstructed direct line between radiant

objects is required (to ,see‘ each other)
iek
• clear, dry climates are beneficial
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling
RADIATIVE COOLING
1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
• architectural applications: 6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation
6.3� forced ventilation
� sleeping on terraces 6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
� roof pond cooling

� � water surface radiates heat to

� � the night sky

� � open water ponds or

� � large bags of water (sprayed)

� � movable insulation panels

� � during daytime

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 1 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
5.1� conduction
5.2� infiltration, ventilation
5.3� solar loads
5.4� internal heat gains
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventilation

2 6.3�
6.4�
forced ventilation
interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling

closing of the umbrellas in the

courtyard of the Mosque in
Madinah in the evening in iek
order to benefit from the University of Stuttgart
nightly radiation to the cool Institute of Design and Construction

deep sky Prof. J. L. Moro

 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
9. HEAT PUMPS 8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
/cooling 6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
/cooling 7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps

iek
basic working principle of a heat pump for cooling or heating purposes University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps
9.1� air-source heat pumps

iek
basic working principle of an air-source heat pump for cooling or heating purposes
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
iek INSTITUTE OF DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION • UNIVERSITY OF STUTTGART Prof. José Luis Moro
 11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps
9.1� air-source heat pumps
9.2� water-source heat pumps

iek
basic working principle of a water-source heat pump for cooling or University of Stuttgart
heating purposes Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps
9.1� air-source heat pumps
9.2� water-source heat pumps

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps
9.1� air-source heat pumps
9.2� water-source heat pumps
9.3� earth-coupled heat pumps

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro
11 Passive Cooling

1. � fundamentals
2.� specifics of cooling
3.� cooling mechanisms
4.� thermal comfort in hot
climates
5.� reduction of cooling loads
6.� ventilation for cooling
purposes
6.1� wind-induced ventilation
6.2� stack-effect ventliation
6.3� forced ventilation
6.4� interiour thermal mass cooling
6.5� solar chimneys
7.� evaporative cooling
8. � radiative cooling
9.� heat pumps
9.1� air-source heat pumps
9.2� water-source heat pumps
9.3� earth-coupled heat pumps

iek
University of Stuttgart

Institute of Design and Construction

Prof. J. L. Moro