New method for calculation of integral characteristics of thermal plumes

A method for calculation of integral characteristics of thermal plumes is proposed. The method allows for determination of the integral parameters of plumes based on speed measurements performed with omnidirectional low velocity thermoanemometers. The method includes a procedure for calculation of the directional velocity (upward component of the mean velocity).

The method is applied for determination of the characteristics of an asymmetric thermal plume generated by a sitting person. The method was validated in full-scale experiments in a climatic chamber with a thermal manikin as a simulator of a sitting occupant. The improvement in calculation of the characteristics of the thermal plume achieved with the developed method, in comparison with methods used and reported in the literature, is demonstrated.