Numerical investigation of surface temperature uniformity and cooling performance for ceiling radiant cooling panel with an air layer

The ceiling radiant cooling panel (CRCP) with air layer based on serpentine shaped flow channel was proposed to solve condensation risk, however, the performance of CRCP was weakened owing to the serpentine shaped flow channel with high-pressure drop. Hence, the parallel shaped type CRCP with air layer was proposed in this work. The effects of both structural and operational parameters on surface temperature distribution and the cooling performance were evaluated. Results showed the cooling capacity was increased with the increase of chilled water velocity and tube diameter, while decreased with the increase in the air layer thickness, cooling panel thickness, tube spacing and chilled water temperature. Considering that condensation risk, it is recommended to set tube spacing, tube diameter, air layer thickness and cooling panel thickness above 125 mm, 10 mm, 12 mm and 1.5 mm, respectively. In the structure parameters of the CRCP, the cooling panel thickness exhibits the maximum impact on cooling capacity with relational grade of 0.87, and the air layer thickness has the maximum impact on surface temperature uniformity with relational grade of 0.82. The findings could serve as guideline for better practical applications of parallel shaped type CRCP with an air layer in different scenarios.