Field experiments with a roof pond and radiant cooling panels in a test building

Abstract

Among the components of a passive building, the roof is particularly important for the regulation of internal thermal conditions. Among the passive cooling systems that act from the roof, we can mention the roof pond (RP). In turn, radiant panels that use water as fluid can achieve high energy efficiency, enhancing the performance of the cold supply source. However, studies on the joint application of these technologies are lacking. This research study aimed to evaluate the thermal performances of different RP configurations, with and without radiant panels, applied to a test building during the summer. The experiment took place at the Sde Boqer Campus, Ben-Gurion University of Negev, Israel. The test environment with a conventional local roof was used as a parameter for comparison. The thermal performance was evaluated using Standard 55 and EN 15251, stabilisation of internal temperatures, and cooling. Compared to the conventional roof, the RP presented good results in terms of the moderation of the thermal conditions of the test building, especially when considering the European standard EN 15251.

Keywords:
Roof pond; Thermal performance; Evaporative cooling; Radiant cooling