Abstract

This thesis explores the thermodynamic relationship between an ice arena’s ice sheet and building form. This exploration was conducted through an experiment focusing on the effects of architectural geometry, building material, and natural ventilation on ice heat gain. Ice arenas are giant refrigeration systems meant to sustain a sheet of ice in any climate, which is energy-intensive. There are many mechanical solutions to improving energy efficiency within ice arenas, leaving a gap for architectural solutions. Thermodynamics is how heat transfers or moves between space or objects. Heat or temperature wants to reach equilibrium, which means cold surfaces, objects, or air absorb heat from warm surfaces, objects, or air, searching for an equal temperature in between. The ice sheet within an ice arena is the coldest part of the building; therefore, it constantly absorbs heat from interior and exterior heat loads. The refrigeration system uses a refrigerant to absorb heat from the ice, increasing energy consumption. If architectural geometry, building materials, and/or natural ventilation can reduce interior heat gain, then less energy is needed to maintain the quality of the ice sheet. The Rochester Institute of Technology’s Gene Polisseni Center, a 112,000-square-foot ice arena with a seating capacity of 4,000 people, was selected as a scaled ice arena model reference. This model was used as a baseline, then modified ten times with various combinations of geometric, low-emissive layer, or natural ventilation combinations. Each building form was tested in each season, simulating the audience heat load of a hockey game. Overall, the top-performing modification utilized natural ventilation, as it averaged only a 0.023 increase in temperature during the simulated hockey game across all experiments. Therefore, natural ventilation could reduce the thermal load on the ice sheet, reducing refrigeration and mechanical system energy consumption.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Architecture and energy conservation; Hockey arenas--Energy consumption; Thermodynamics

Publication Date

12-15-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Student Type

Graduate

Degree Name

Architecture (M.Arch.)

Department, Program, or Center

Architecture, Department of

College

Golisano Institute for Sustainability

Advisor

Seth H. Holmes

Advisor/Committee Member

Dennis A. Andrejko

Campus

RIT – Main Campus

Plan Codes

ARCH-MARCH

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