Evaluation by Liquid Crystal Thermography of Transient Surface Temperature Distribution in Radiant Floor Cooling Applications and Assessment of Analytical and Numerical Models

The purpose of our study is to evaluate the surface temperature distribution on a radiant floor, particularly focusing on space cooling operations, to assess the presence of nonuniformities. In fact, knowing the temperature difference between the average superficial temperature and the coldest spot can be a useful indication for condensation prevention. Primarily, we performed an experimental campaign in test rooms using temperature sensors and liquid crystal thermography. This allowed us to evaluate the floor temperature distribution both on a local scale, influenced by the discontinuous presence of buried water pipes, and on a macroscale, influenced by internal use, objects, and boundary conditions of the surrounding space. Then, the experimental temperature field on the radiant floor surface has been compared with analytical and numerical models in steady-state and transient phases, respectively. The results indicate limited superficial temperature variations that become more significant at larger tube spacings and under transient conditions. In particular, the numerical transient analysis showed that shortly after a step change in the pipe's temperature boundary condition, a larger variation is locally observable on the floor, which then decays to the new steady-state conditions, presenting more uniformity. However, local effects are generally overshadowed by macro-effects, especially for practical scenarios where many objects, furnishings, and different boundary conditions are present. Finally, as a conservative guideline for the cooling system control, we recommend maintaining the average superficial floor temperature at least 1 °C above the dew point, to account for the described nonuniformities.