Evaluation of Occupant Comfort in Office Buildings in Ghana
Morkporkpor Delight Sedzro,
Daniel Vindex Kwabla Domeh,
Augustus Addy-Lamptey
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
93-103
Received:
26 August 2017
Accepted:
26 September 2017
Published:
15 December 2017
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijrse.20170606.11
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Abstract: Occupant comfort, ranging from acoustic to thermal has been shown to affect health and work productivity in office buildings. Thus, the need to understand the link between these factors and work productivity considering Ghana’s recent growth in office infrastructure triggered by development in its economy cannot be overlooked. In this study, the office buildings of two institutions are evaluated based on eight categories of institution, age, gender, thermal, acoustic and visual comfort and other parameters such as smell and indoor aesthetics. Overall, 115 occupants responded to the survey questionnaire. The results show the female occupants more unsatisfied with certain parameters such as thermal comfort and lighting, compared to the males. Occupants above the age of 50 towards the retirement age of 60 were also satisfied with the acoustic and internal aesthetic of their workspace. The results serve as a guide to remodeling of any office space in line with improvements of the office building.
Abstract: Occupant comfort, ranging from acoustic to thermal has been shown to affect health and work productivity in office buildings. Thus, the need to understand the link between these factors and work productivity considering Ghana’s recent growth in office infrastructure triggered by development in its economy cannot be overlooked. In this study, the of...
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Maintenance of a Small-Scale Parabolic Trough Concentrating Solar Power Plant in Louisiana
Kenneth August Ritter III,
Matthew Joseph Prilliman,
Terrence Lynn Chambers,
Jonathan Richard Raush
Issue:
Volume 6, Issue 6, November 2017
Pages:
104-111
Received:
15 December 2017
Accepted:
27 December 2017
Published:
16 January 2018
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijrse.20170606.12
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Abstract: An accurate estimate of fixed operating costs is essential to determine the financial viability of any proposed project. Although other researchers have reported maintenance costs for large-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in the United States [1 - 2], there is currently little information available specifically for small-scale CSP or solar Industrial Process Heat (IPH) plants. This paper discusses the maintenance of an operating small-scale CSP plant in Louisiana over a four year period. The results are also applicable to a small-scale IPH plant. Maintenance activities and costs are discussed for the collector field, the power block, and the cooling tower. For the collector field, a study of the degradation of mirror reflectance between washings was performed for three different types of reflective polymer thin films (3M 1100, 3M 2020, and Konica Minolta). Overall, the 3M 2020 film provided better reflectivity between washings than the other films. An optimized mirror washing schedule was determined. Optimal mirror washing schedules are very site-dependent, but for this humid subtropical location, the most economical washing schedule was found to be every 114 days, or approximately three times per year. A recommended maintenance plan for small-scale CSP and IPH plants is presented and actual maintenance costs over a four year period are provided. It was found that maintenance costs for small-scale plants are substantially larger than for large-scale plants, and that maintenance costs for small-scale IPH plants are much lower than for small-scale CSP plants, making IPH applications significantly more attractive. The average annual maintenance cost for a small-scale CSP plant was found to be approximately $457/kWe, or $0.27/kWhe. For a small-scale IPH plant the costs were $3.72/m2, $7.81/kWt, and $0.005/kWht.
Abstract: An accurate estimate of fixed operating costs is essential to determine the financial viability of any proposed project. Although other researchers have reported maintenance costs for large-scale concentrating solar power (CSP) plants in the United States [1 - 2], there is currently little information available specifically for small-scale CSP or s...
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