Energy simulation and optimization of a double ventilation chimney in a historical building in L'Aquila (Italy)

The paper presents the operation mode of a ventilation chimney placed in a historical building through the use of Design Bui/der a modeling and dynamical simulation software. The aim is to verizy the improvement ofthe comfort level and energy efficiency ofthe simulated environments through the usage ofthe duct as a passive ventilation system. The method adopted to intervene in a complex system, such as that represented by historic buildings, is to enhance the preexisting architectural values through their conversion into devices able to improve the performance ofthe building in terms ofC02 and energy consumption reduction. The case study is Palazzo Bruni-Riga, a valuable building located in the h i storie center of L'Aquila. The building has a double ventilation duct, probably al so used as a light-pipe, in correspondence oftwo windowless rooms of similar dimensions. The dynamical simulations presented concem the analysis ofthe passive ventilation duct and its effects on the thermo-hygrometric well-being ofthe modeled rooms. The goal of this paper and this research in generai, is that the wise use of such devices installed in times when there were no air conditioning systems, allows you to better use the ventilation chimneys, and have the maximum thermal indoor comfort, with the minimum effort and use ofmechanical systems. Through the simulations it was possible to verizy that through the use ofthe ventilation chimney, it is possible to have the indoor comfort conditions, by checking the Fanger indices for the data obtained from the simulations carried out.