Displacement ventilation is an innovative concept for the supply of conditioned air and ventilation of buildings. It uses the natural buoyancy of warm air to provide improved ventilation and comfort. First developed for industrial buildings, displacement ventilation now enjoys an increasing percentage of market share for many applications throughout the world. Although relatively new to the United States, displacement ventilation has been in use in the Scandinavian countries since the 1970s, where it is now seen as a proven technology.
In 1998 we completed a pilot demonstration project for the MIT Dept of Architecture, in conjunction with the researchers at MIT who are investigating displacement ventilation for ASHRAE. We have now begun to use this concept on many other projects.
In a displacement ventilation system, supply air is introduced to the space at or near the floor level, at a low velocity, at a temperature only slightly below the desired room temperature. The cooler supply air "displaces" the warmer room air, creating a zone of fresh cool air at the occupied level. Heat and contaminants produced by activities in the space rise to the ceiling level where they are exhausted from the space.
Displacement ventilation systems are typically more energy efficient and quieter than conventional overhead systems. They also provide better ventilation efficiency, and thus improve indoor air quality.
Displacement systems are appropriate in spaces such as classrooms and conference rooms with high ventilation requirements. They have also been used with great success in office space.
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