PORTO @ Archivio Istituzionale della Ricerca

Untold stories from the field: a novel platform for collecting practical learnings on Human-Building Interactions

When implementing or studying building controls and interfaces in the field, researchers often witness first-hand human-building interactions from operators and occupants. While current comfort and occupant behavior models are able to explain some of these interactions, many fall under the fields of psychology, sociology and other humanities, which can be difficult for building technology researchers to interpret. Likewise, some causes of dissatisfaction, for example those linked to occupants...

Comparative analysis of different strategies exploiting the adjoint topology optimization method for enhancing the performance of a cooling device equipped with micro-channels

An array of micro-channels in parallel connected by Z-manifold, under consideration for the cooling of MW-class gyrotron cavities for fusion applications, is analyzed here. The micro-channels should allow the removal of a very non-uniform heat load, which can reach a peak up to 25 MW/m2. The adjoint topology optimization method is applied to the manifold regions. In the first case study, the micro-channels are not equally spaced but rather distributed and a uniform flow distribution in the mi...

Anti-Collision Systems in Tunnelling: some Preliminary Tests Outcome on Effectiveness and OS&H in a System Quality Approach

Underground works are generally characterised by the presence of narrow operating spaces, high concentrations of high-power equipment, use of iterative work cycles and haste in the excavation phases. These characteristics can cause interferences with a negative impact on production efficiency and can cause accidents and harmful pollution. As shown by the statistics on work-related accidents, one of the main causes of accidents is related to collisions between vehicles or between vehicles/p...

Experimental analysis of commercial and innovative adsorbent materials for deep biogas cleaning for fuel cell applications