Thermal comfort in buildings for wet processing of coffee.

Abstract

This study aimed to assess thermal comfort for workers in three buildings for wet coffee processing in Colombia, using the WBGT index, and temperature and relative humidity analysis through mapping. The limits recommended by the WBGT index were exceeded during the activity of putting fuel in the dryer in Building 3. The three buildings presented spatial hygrothermal variability due to the coffee dryer, as well as problems with ventilation, volume control, and the thermal resistance of materials in Buildings 2 and 3. In order to favor heat transfer from the dryer to the outside environment, and to make the thermal environment of these buildings more homogeneous, it is recommended to install thermal bridges around this area, to make more efficient the evacuation of steam and heat, as well as to increase the natural ventilation area in Buildings 2 and 3, and install ventilation skylights over the dryer.

Keywords

• Thermal stress
• Post-occupation evaluation
• Wbgt (wet bulb globe thermometer) index
• Thermal resistance
• Natural ventilation
• Bioclimatic architecture