Simulation and Optimization of Indoor Thermal Environment in a Ship Air-conditioning System

Crew's health and productivity is strongly affected by cabins' thermal environment. This paper focuses on the numerical simulation of the indoor thermal environment in air-conditioned vessel cabins. The original air-conditioning system of the cabin was analyzed. Three modified air-conditioning systems with different air-supply outlet locations and under-supply air-conditioning system were put forward for optimization. Air temperature, air velocity and PMV distribution were discussed under Airpak simulation. The results show that under-supply air-conditioning system has good performance with little eddies and can contribute to energy saving. Indoor air temperature with under-supply air-conditioning system was 2 similar to 4 degrees C lower than that with original air-conditioning system, leading to lower predicted mean vote (PMV). (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the Intelligent Information Technology Application Research Association.