Presented by Simo Kilpeläinen at Aalto University on September 16, 2026, this HumanIC project presentation explores experimental techniques for analyzing and visualizing air distribution systems. It serves as a comprehensive guide for HVAC research, balancing quantitative measurement tools with qualitative visualization methods.
The presentation first examines measurement hardware, comparing four types of anemometers—hot-wire, hot-sphere, rotating vane, and ultrasonic—through turbulence and fluctuating airflow case studies. It also covers high-precision Laser Doppler Anemometry for single-point velocity tracking, tracer gas decay and integral methods using gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur hexafluoride for ventilation effectiveness, and aerosol generation for simulating fine particulates and pathogens.
Transitioning to visualization, the slides detail smoke testing applications, ranging from large-scale theater smoke to handheld tubes, and introduce Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) configurations, including 2D, stereoscopic, and tomographic 3D setups for mapping velocity vector fields. Finally, the presentation provides strategic guidelines on choosing methods based on accuracy, project time, and budget constraints, concluding with a practical group exercise focused on outfitting a hospital space mock-up with appropriate instrumentation.
