This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of an air distribution system in a lobby during heating and cooling operations and to analyze indoor thermal environment and ventilation characteristics. The study area consists of the north lobby (...
This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of an air distribution system in a lobby during heating and cooling operations and to analyze indoor thermal environment and ventilation characteristics. The study area consists of the north lobby (two floors) and the south lobby (one floor), centered around two elevator halls, and features differences in floor height and spatial asymmetry. The study conducted a three-dimensional CFD (Computational FluidDynamics) analysis of the air distribution system, which includedceiling-mounted funnel louvers, line diffusers, and peripheral fan convectors,applying supply air temperature variations. Temperature field, velocity field, and pathline analyses were used to determine indoor air diffusion and flow characteristics. Ventilation performance for each space was assessed using local air age (LMA), ventilation efficiency, and supply and exhaust air contribution(SVE4) analyses.As a result of the cooling operation, the cool air discharged from the ceiling supply vents reached the lower occupant areas, ensuring overall temperature uniformity. Despite supply air temperature variations, the average lobby temperature remained close to the design standard. Furthermore, we confirmed- 60 that air was mixed between the north and south lobbies, centered around the elevator hall, forming a linked air circulation structure between the supply and exhaust vents. Ventilation performance analysis revealed relatively stable air exchange between the elevator hall and the north lobby, while differences inventilation efficiency were observed in some areas of the south lobby due to retention characteristics. During heating operation, the fan convector effectively suppressed cold drafts around the perimeter, maintaining stable average temperatures in the north and south lobbies near the design reference. Warm air discharged from the ceiling supply vents reached the lower occupant areas, while some air flow passed through the elevator hall, inducing mixing between the north and south lobbies. Although slight differences in the LMA and ventilation efficiency were observed across spaces due to air retention characteristics and thermal buoyancy caused by varying supply air temperature, overall, a uniform temperature distributionand thermal comfort were maintained throughout the lobby. In summary, the air distribution system applied to the lobby space studied in this study is evaluated to be able to maintain the design temperature, air diffusion, and ventilation performance during heating and cooling operations, despite differences in floor height and spatial asymmetry. In particular, during heating operation, the fan convector suppressed cold drafts around the perimeter,ensuring temperature uniformity at the respiratory line level. Furthermore, the elevator hall was confirmed to be a key space mediating air mixing between the north and south lobbies. The results of this study can be used as basicdata for evaluating the thermal environment and ventilation performance of air distribution systems in lobby spaces and for establishing rational heating and cooling operation strategies. Keywords: air distribution system, lobby space, heating and cooling operation,supply air temperature variation, thermal fluid analysis, ventilation performance,Local Mean Age (LMA), Supply Ventilation Effectiveness (SVE4), thermalcomfort, cold draft