A system capable of measuring time-dependent facade systems

Abstract

The invention relates to a facade system test rig by means of which the technical properties associated with the heat and light transmittance of facade systems that are being developed as alternatives to conventional external building envelope facade systems and that are capable of changing their time-dependent thermal and optical properties can be determined, and measurements forming the basis of thermal / visual comfort assessments can be carried out.

Description

[0001] A SYSTEM CAPABLE OF MEASURING TIME-DEPENDENT FAQADE SYSTEMS

[0002] Technical field of the invention:

[0003] The invention relates to a fagade system test rig by means of which the technical properties associated with the heat and light transmittance of fagade systems that are being developed as alternatives to conventional external building envelope fagade systems and that are capable of changing their time-dependent thermal and optical properties can be determined, and measurements forming the basis of thermal / visual comfort assessments can be carried out.

[0004] State of the art:

[0005] In conventional fagade systems, criteria such as safety (the resistance of load-bearing elements to environmental, natural and mechanical loads), human comfort (thermal and visual comfort, control of air and humidity flow, natural ventilation and indoor air quality, daylight control, glare control, acoustic and aesthetic aspects), sustainability (energy efficiency), durability and cost efficiency are prioritised in order to evaluate system performance. External fagade system designs are also evaluated on the basis of these criteria. In conventional systems, claddings such as brick, wood, stone, metal, glass, vinyl, composite panels and photovoltaic panels are widely used as external fagade envelopes in our country.

[0006] Today, concerns regarding the environment and the economy necessitate higher performance from building fagades. In particular, in locations experiencing more than one season, optimising the fagade for multiple seasons or purposes instead of optimising it for a single season is a technique that has been taken into consideration in building design in recent years. Another technique is the use of materials or fagade elements that change their thermal and optical properties. Such elements change their properties depending on various external environmental conditions or user demand. For example, phase change materials may exist in a solid phase, a liquid phase, or an intermediate phase containing both simultaneously depending on external and internalambient temperature conditions; their thermal and optical properties change according to the phase in which they exist. Thermochromic, photochromic and electrochromic glazing, on the other hand, change their optical properties in response to thermal-, optical- and electrical-based stimuli, respectively, which directly affects the amount of energy entering the building due to solar radiation through fagade transparency and thus directly affects thermal and visual comfort. Photobioreactor fagade elements are an example of living fagade elements. Within the photobioreactor, microorganisms reproduce, and depending on the interaction of the growth medium and the living culture with the external environment, the thermal and optical properties of the fagade element change in a time-dependent manner. In living fagades, the integration of plants or different organisms with the fagade causes changes in thermal, optical and acoustic properties as a result of the movement and growth of the fagades over time. In addition, the thermal and optical properties of fagade elements that respond by changing form in line with solar movement, ventilation requirements, humidity conditions or user demands also change in a time-dependent manner. In the state of the art, commercial devices or specialised test rigs are established in order to determine the timedependent and / or steady-state thermal and optical properties of building elements forming the fagade system.

[0007] The techniques currently in use can be divided into three main categories as measurement rigs used in laboratory environments, on a produced wall section, or on site. Each measurement method involves different problems and limitations.

[0008] Measurement techniques performed in laboratory environments are generally specialised for determining a single thermal or optical property of a small-scale sample under constant temperature and humidity conditions. The greatest problem in measurements performed in laboratory environments is scaling; there are difficulties in transferring results obtained on small-scale samples (such as a material piece of millimetre dimensions, a sample in milligram quantities, or a brick unit) to large-scale applications. For example, in these methods, measurements are generally carried out under the assumption that materials are homogeneous. Although there are methods that measure time-dependent changing properties, since the sample quantity is quite small, a wide variety of problems are encountered in predicting various issues such as deformations that much thicker elements or materials exposed to different environments over long periods may undergo, estimating how the material will performtogether with other surrounding materials in real use, and transferring their behaviour in the face of problems that larger building elements will encounter. In addition, the use of different standard test procedures in laboratory and real environments may make the comparability of results more difficult. For example, for phase change materials, thermal properties can be determined in laboratory environments with the aid of sensitive instruments. Changes occurring in the phase change temperatures and phase change latent heat values of phase change materials over long cycles can likewise be detected in laboratory environments using small quantities of samples. However, in measurements carried out on small quantities of samples, particularly during crystallisation, it is possible to obtain unrealistic results. Although effects such as phase separation or supercooling are not observed for large quantities of samples, unrealistic results may emerge when the sample quantity is reduced. In addition, simulations need to be carried out in order to determine the performance that the thermal properties obtained for materials will exhibit in building fagade applications. Since idealised mathematical models cannot include different types of interactions that may occur between building fagade elements, modelling real physical boundary conditions is very difficult. From this perspective, in order to correctly demonstrate the benefit that can be obtained by applying phase change materials as fagade elements in a building, it is necessary to establish an experimental system and to collect data based on both thermal comfort and energy consumption over a long period through this system. Today, in addition to thermal comfort, visual comfort assessments are also prioritised. For this reason, in a scalable experimental rig, it is mandatory to evaluate visual comfort elements together with thermal comfort and energy consumption.

[0009] With the widespread use of fagade elements containing water and microalgae, examining the effects of fagade systems on thermal and light comfort under different climatic conditions and for different constructions has become a necessity. The thermal and light behaviour of water- or algae-containing fagade elements is commonly determined through simulation studies. In simulation studies, the time-dependent definition of the illuminance and thermal properties of algae is required. In this context, small quantities of microalgae cultures produced are examined in controlled laboratory experiments with the aid of a spectrophotometer device, and their wavelengthdependent optical properties are determined. When these obtained data correspond to algae cultures grown under ideal conditions, scaling the growth environment isdifficult. Realistic results can be obtained in large-scale environments exposed to different external factors. The behaviour of microalgae within photobioreactors has been studied for many years. However, a test rig that allows the integrated examination of the effects of an algae wall applied on building fagades on thermal and light comfort under dynamic boundary conditions has not been proposed. Here, there are deficiencies such as the experimental determination of the effect of the algae wall on energy consumption, and the simultaneous evaluation, for different solar radiation profiles, of the effects of algae grown in a large-scale reactor on thermal comfort and visual comfort in the building interior environment.

[0010] Previous inventions include only single fagade elements, such as only phase change material-containing elements, only wall elements, or only algae walls. Such limitations make the experimental optimisation of building thermal and visual comfort impossible. From conventional wall systems to original designs containing phase change materials and living fagade elements, it is necessary for certain systems to be tested in a single experimental rig under the same controlled conditions and in the light of the same performance indicators. An invention of such a flexible system does not exist. In addition, the proposed methods are divided into two groups as artificial light and natural daylight. Small- and / or large-scale building models can be tested under solar simulators as well as in outdoor environments. However, existing test rigs are structurally designed to be suitable for a single type of solar radiation application. Systems whose tests are carried out in laboratory environments are not suitable for outdoor experiments. Those designed for outdoor experiments, on the other hand, do not include components suitable for carrying out experiments in laboratory environments.

[0011] Although various proposals and applications have been developed for a fagade system test rig in the state of the art, these developments are not sufficient. Some applications relating to inventions developed for this purpose are given below.

[0012] The patent document numbered “JP2021050904A” in the state of the art has been examined. The invention subject to the application combines process cycle management with a new system design technology in order to reduce the increase in system entropy of energy and matter. The system consists of eight main units. These are thermal management, atmospheric optimisation, radiation management, a hydrological system, an energy system, material flow, system management andstructural systems, which provide homeostatic control of the staged flow of matter and energy. The symbiotic process of the system operates through reciprocity and embedded autonomy in order to create an integrated system that balances the use of resources, reduces transportation requirements, shortens water, mineral and waste flow cycles, and enables the storage of surpluses. Considering limited inputs and outputs, it allows the implementation of a stable passive design in which the output does not exceed the input. The main purpose of the system is to provide energy savings. However, in this invention as well, no metric or measurement system that would demonstrate energy savings is specified.

[0013] The patent document numbered “EP2533627A1” in the state of the art has been examined. The invention subject to the application includes a fagade element comprising a plate-shaped bioreactor for cultivating phototrophic organisms. This bioreactor comprises a transparent plate-shaped enclosure forming a reactor area for receiving phototrophic organisms therein. The invention further relates to a fagade structure and a building comprising at least one such fagade element. However, this invention is primarily designed to provide acoustic insulation on the external fagade of a building. It is not essentially a fagade element test system and is not used for determining thermal / optical properties.

[0014] The patent document numbered “TWI515298B” in the state of the art has been examined. The invention subject to the application includes a microalgae monitoring system comprising a light absorbance detection unit, a chlorophyll fluorescence detection unit and a control unit for monitoring microalgae in a container. The absorbance light detection unit detects the intensity of light passing through a microalgae solution and light including at least two characteristic wavelengths. The chlorophyll fluorescence detection unit determines the fluorescence intensity of the microalgae solution. The control unit calculates, using light intensity and fluorescence intensity as detection data, the absorbance values of the microalgae for each characteristic wavelength and parameters relating to chlorophyll emission. Thus, the activity and content of chlorophyll and the content of other pigments are measured from the absorbance value of each characteristic wavelength and chlorophyll-related parameters in order to increase the evaluation accuracy of microalgae concentration and growth conditions. In this invention, algae concentration is measured.In the state of the art, there are fagade system test rigs that include different methods and systems. However, in the fagade system test rig systems of the state of the art, the time-dependent thermal and optical properties of materials having dynamic characteristics, such as adaptive elements, which change depending on environmental variables, may not be measured with sufficient accuracy by existing systems. The calibration and sensitivity of measurement devices may affect the accuracy of measurement results. It is necessary for the experiment and the devices to be selected in such a way that changing fagade properties can be detected. In order to evaluate the long-term performance of adaptive elements, continuous and long-term measurements are required; however, such measurements are insufficient in terms of technical and logistical difficulties.

[0015] As a result, due to the above-described drawbacks and the inadequacy of existing solutions with respect to the subject matter, it has become necessary to make an improvement in the relevant technical field.

[0016] The Aim of the invention:

[0017] The most important aim of the invention is to present a measurement system by means of which the thermal and optical properties of building fagade elements that change their thermal and optical properties in a time-dependent manner can be determined both in laboratory environments and under outdoor conditions, with the objective of enabling the evaluation of the potential benefits of the design and use of such building fagade elements.

[0018] Another aim of the invention is that it can be used for different environments and needs by means of its mobile and modular structure.

[0019] Another aim of the invention is to enable fagade elements to be measured both in a controlled laboratory environment and in an outdoor environment by using the same rig components and connection details.

[0020] Another aim of the invention is to enable the acquisition of indoor illuminance distributions through controlled experiments and different solar radiation profiles.Another aim of the invention is to provide the possibility of generating a broader data set in evaluation by supporting the assessment of material performance with both laboratory data and real field data.

[0021] Another aim of the invention is to enable the understanding of the long-term performance of adaptive elements by means of real-time measurement of responses during tests and the ability to perform long-term measurements.

[0022] Another aim of the invention is to carry out multiple tests and data analyses by taking into account variables such as orientation, air movement, solar radiation, temperature, element thickness, element geometry, the response time of the element to stimuli, and connection details, to compare them with different building elements, and to evaluate the environmental impact of different scenarios.

[0023] Another aim of the invention is that, in addition to operation under laboratory conditions, it is suitable for performing measurements using the same procedures and devices in outdoor environments, such that while thermal and optical properties are measured under laboratory conditions on the one hand, the response of the element to real-world conditions is measured on the other hand.

[0024] Another aim of the invention is to obtain a comprehensive design in which the measurement rig meets the specific requirements of adaptive elements and adapts to various usage scenarios.

[0025] The structural and characteristic features of the invention and all advantages thereof will be understood more clearly through the detailed description written with reference to the figures given below. Therefore, the evaluation should also be carried out by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

[0026] Description of the drawings:

[0027] FIGURE-1 is a drawing providing a general view of the fagade system test rig that is the subject of the invention.Reference numbers:

[0028] 1. Fagade element

[0029] 2. Test chamber

[0030] 3. Data acquisition system

[0031] 4. Data processing unit

[0032] 5. Solar simulator

[0033]

[0034] of the invention:

[0035] The invention relates to a fagade system test rig by means of which the technical properties associated with the heat and light transmittance of fagade systems that are being developed as alternatives to conventional external building envelope fagade systems and that are capable of changing their time-dependent thermal and optical properties can be determined, and measurements forming the basis of thermal / visual comfort assessments can be carried out.

[0036] The fagade system test rig basically comprises a fagade element (1), a test chamber (2), a data acquisition system (3), a data processing unit (4), and a solar simulator (5). The part scaled and manufactured in accordance with the dimensions of the test chamber (2) is the fagade element (1). The fagade element (1) provides the thermal energy and light flux between the indoor and outdoor environments. Its connection with the test chamber (2) is such that no air leakage occurs. A fagade can be constructed in which a plurality of fagade elements (1) are joined together. The connection details of the fagade element (1 ), which is translucent and transparent, are formed in a manner reflecting real-world conditions. It is capable of changing its time-dependent thermal and optical properties. The fagade element (1), when required, establishes the necessary connection with a triggering mechanism required for changing its properties. In living or photobioreactor fagades, in order to determine the time-dependent change in the density of living organisms, samples are taken from the fagade element (1) at certain time intervals and variables relating to growth are determined.The fagade system test rig includes a test chamber (2). The test chamber (2) contains air with precise temperature control varying between -20 °C and +50 °C. For homogeneous temperature distribution, good air circulation is provided in the test chamber (2). In addition, the test chamber (2) is insulated from the ambient environment of the space in which it is located. The humidity level is precisely controlled between 20 % and 95 %. The humidity is homogeneously distributed within the test chamber (2). In addition to allowing the adaptive fagade element (1) itself to be changed, it allows parameters such as orientation, thickness, colour, and surface roughness to be varied. It is manufactured from a material that is water-resistant and has the required thermal transmission resistance so as to be usable in laboratory environments or in outdoor environments. The details also prevent air and water exchange between the indoor and outdoor environments.

[0037] The data acquisition system (3) consists of a whole of sensors and measurement devices placed on the fagade element (1) and the test chamber (2). In the data acquisition system (3), necessary measurements such as light, temperature, and heat flux are carried out in real time. The required sensors are placed inside the test chamber (2) in a network format. On the fagade element (1), there are at least three light sensors, a pyranometer, and temperature sensors. Temperature sensors are also located on the test chamber (2). The calibration of the heat and light sensors is completed before these sensors are integrated into the data acquisition system (3). When the fagade system test rig is operated, data received from the sensors are recorded in real time on a cloud / tablet / computer. In order to capture time-dependent visual changes on the fagade surface, for example to determine phase change times and ratios, camera and thermal camera images are obtained. When required, in order to accurately determine the time-dependent changing properties of the fagade element (1), measurements are first carried out using small sample quantities. For example, if the change in light transmittance at different wavelengths depending on microalgae density is significant, preliminary measurements are carried out using a spectrophotometer, or if a change in thermal storage depending on phase change is involved, using a device such as a differential calorimeter. These preliminary measurements assist in establishing a system setup suitable for thermal / visual comfort investigations.The part used for the long-term measurement and storage of data such as temperature and illuminance, and for transferring these data to the necessary mathematical models / simulations, is carried out in the data processing unit (4).

[0038] The solar simulator (5) is the unit that simulates the annual variation of the sun for the fagade system in the fagade system test rig. The solar simulator (5) reflects solar radiation onto the fagade element (1) by simulating different wavelengths. The light sources used in the solar simulator (5) have the capability of increasing or decreasing the amount of light. By reducing the power supply, the current passing through the light sources is reduced and the light intensity is linearly decreased. Similarly, when the power is increased, the light intensity is increased. Calibration is carried out in order to determine whether the radiation distribution created by the solar simulator (5) on the surface is homogeneous. By placing light sensors at different points, the distribution over the surface is experimentally determined.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A fagade system test rig capable of measuring time-dependent fagade systems, comprising:- at least one fagade element (1 ) that is scaled and manufactured in accordance with the dimensions of the test chamber (2), that provides thermal energy and light flux between indoor and outdoor environments, whose connection with the test chamber (2) is such that no air leakage occurs, and on which at least three light sensors, a pyranometer, and temperature sensors are located,- at least one test chamber (2) in which temperature-controlled air varying between -20 °C and +50 °C is present, in which air flow is provided for homogeneous temperature distribution, which is insulated from the ambient environment of the space in which it is located, which allows parameters such as orientation, thickness, colour, and surface roughness to be varied in addition to replacing the fagade element (1), and on which temperature sensors are located,- at least one data acquisition system (3) comprising sensors and measurement devices placed on the fagade element (1) and the test chamber (2), in which measurements of light, temperature, and heat flux are carried out in real time, in which calibration of heat and light sensors is completed before the sensors are integrated, in which data received from the sensors are recorded in real time on a cloud and a computer when the fagade system test rig is operated, and in which camera and thermal camera images are obtained in order to determine phase change times and ratios,- at least one data processing unit (4) that is involved in the long-term measurement and storage of temperature and illuminance data and in transferring these data to the necessary mathematical simulations, and- at least one solar simulator (5) that simulates the annual variation of the sun for the fagade system in the fagade system test rig, that reflects solar radiation onto the fagade element (1) by simulating different wavelengths, in which the light sources used have the capability of increasing or decreasing the amount of light, in which reducing the power supply reduces the current passing through the light sources so that the light intensity is linearly decreased, and in which increasing the power increases the light intensity.

2. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1, comprising a fagade element (1) having a translucent and transparent structure, the connection details of which are formed in a manner reflecting real-world conditions.

3. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1, comprising a fagade element (1) capable of changing its time-dependent thermal and optical properties.

4. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1, comprising a test chamber (2) in which the humidity level is controlled between 20 % and 95 % and in which humidity is homogeneously distributed.

5. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1, comprising a test chamber (2) manufactured from a material that is water-resistant and has thermal transmission resistance so as to be usable in laboratory environments or in outdoor environments.

6. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1, comprising a data acquisition system (3) in which sensors are placed inside the test chamber (2) in a network format.

7. The fagade system test rig according to claim 1 , comprising a solar simulator (5) in which calibration is carried out in order to determine whether the radiation distribution formed on the surface is homogeneous.

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