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This paper investigates the effects of prenatal exposure to extreme temperatures on birth outcomes—specifically, the log of birth weight and an indicator for low birth weight—using a nationally representative dataset on rural China. During the time period we examine (1991–2000), indoor air conditioning was not widely available and migration was limited, allowing us to address identification issues endemic in the climate change literature related to adaptation and location sorting. We find substantial heterogeneity in the effects of extreme temperature exposure on birth outcomes. In particular, prenatal exposure to heat waves has stronger negative effects than exposure to cold spells on surviving births. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The foremost role of a building is to assure the comfort of its occupants. The thermal comfort of a building depends on the outdoor climate and requires a demand in energy for heating and cooling. In this paper, demand of energy (heating/cooling) in the buildings is discussed in Douala, Cameroon. Daily data of the last 40 years coming from five weather stations of Cameroon have been studied. Some forecasts have been carried out with 14 GCM models, associated to three future climate scenarios B1, A2, and A1B. However, only INCM3 of General Circulation Model (GCM) and A2 scenario was used. Energy demand in buildings is valued by HDD (heating degree day) and CDD (cooling degree day) indices. Obtained results show that the temperature evolves more quickly in dry season than in rainy season in Douala. Climate rise indicates an increasing demand of energy in the buildings for cooling. Global Douala heating shows a definite effect on outdoor comfort. From 2045 to 2075, the demand of energy for cooling will be superior to 50%. The total demand in energy for heating in the buildings is estimated to be 67.882 kcal from 1970 to 2000 and will be around 67.774 kcal from 2013 to 2043. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an experimental and analytical study on the inverter split-type air-conditioner for the purpose of energy saving and a proper balance between sensible and latent capacity. Performance of an inverter split-type air-conditioner is investigated at varied refrigerant mass flow rates, air volume flow rates, and set point temperatures. The performance investigated for a 2.54-kW inverter split-type air-conditioner includes cooling capacity, power consumption, the value of coefficient of performance (COP), and equipment sensible heat ratio (SHR). An increase of electrical frequency input to compressor from 34 to 66 Hz results in an increase of cooling capacity by 0.88 kW, a decrease of COP by 0.84, and a decrease of SHR by 0.11. An increase in cooling coil flow rate from 4.14 to 8.2 m3/min results in an increase in cooling capacity by 0.16 kW, an increase in COP by 0.10, and an increase in SHR by 0.15. An increase of set point temperature from 24 to 26°C results in an increase of the value of COP by 0.13 and a decrease of SHR by 0.03. The study offers guidelines for the application of small-size inverter split-type air-conditioners in hot and humid climates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major focus of this work is on the impact of both the temperature and humidity variations on the air conditioning load model characteristics based on field measurements. A typical residential house was used for experimental investigation and data collection for the segregated residential air conditioner load. Important field data has been collected for several hot and humid consecutive months covering a wide range of outdoor temperatures and humidity. The Simulated Annealing (SA) method based on the Monte Carlo technique for finding solutions to optimization problems was used for data analysis and model shaping. The SA algorithm has been implemented to find the best model for the AC load by finding the optimal estimates of the proposed AC load model parameters. The mathematical model developed in this paper was successful in reproducing the experimental testing data with a very good degree of accuracy. The model reached was found to adequately represent the effect of humidity and temperature on the AC load. The nonlinear relationship between humidity, temperature, and real power demand is consistent through all temperature and humidity ranges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a novel solar-powered absorption air conditioning system driven by a bubble pump with energy storage. It solves the problem of unreliable solar energy supply by storing the working fluids and hence, functions 24 h per day. First, the working principles are described and the dynamic models for the primary energy storage components are developed. Then, the system is evaluated based on a numerical simulation. Based on the meteorological data of a typical day in a subtropical area, with the area of a solar collector being set at 19.15 m[sub2], whilst the initial charging mass, mass fraction and temperature of the solution are respectively set at 379.5 kg, 54.16% and 34.5 °C, it is found that the respective coefficients of performance (COP) of the air conditioning system and the entire system (including the solar panel) are 0.7771 and 0.4372. In particular, the energy storage density of the system is 206.69 MJ/m[sup3] which is much greater than those of chilled water or hot water storage systems under comparable conditions. This makes the new system much more compact and efficient. Finally, an automatic control strategy is given to achieve the highest COP when solar energy fluctuates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]