Prof John Z LINPh.D., CEng
Head and Professor of Division of Building Science and Technology
Contact InformationOffice:MMW-5420
Phone:+(852)-3442-9805
Fax:+(852)-3442-9716
Email:bsjzl@cityu.edu.hk


Research InterestsInnovative room air distribution (ventilation) and associate thermal comfort, indoor air quality (IAQ) and energy efficiency.

Academic Qualifications: BEng (1983) in Air Conditioning, Tsinghua University
PhD (1995) in Processing and Environmental Technology, Massey University, New Zealand
Professional Qualifications: MASHRAE (1998) (Member of American Society of Heating, Refrig. and Air Con. Engineers)
MIEAust CPEng (1999) (Member of the Institution of Engineers, Australia)
MCIBSE CEng (2002) (Member of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers)
MHKIE (2006) (Member of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers)
Visiting appointments: Adjunct Professor, Xi’an Jiaotong University, China (2006- )
Visiting Scholar, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA (Jan-Jun 2001)
Research Grants (PI)Application of Displacement Ventilation to Hong Kong Buildings, 1997-2000 completed, HK$709,280, RGC-CERG(CityU 1120/97E)
Deflection Ventilation System, 2003-2006 completed, HK$384,113, RGC-CERG(CityU 1153/03E)
Intelligent Stratum Ventilation System, 2007-2009 completed, HK$481,250, RGC-CERG(CityU 117606)
Investigation of Local Thermal Comfort and Air Quality of Stratum Ventilation, 2011-2013, HK$880,657, RGC-GRF(CityU 118610)
Analysis and Enhancement of Energy Performance of Stratum Ventilation, 2012-2014, CNY$550,000, NSFC(51178407)
Performance Evaluation and Application of Stratum Ventilation to Hong Kong Buildings, 2013-2015. HK$575,000. RGC-ECS (CityU 124712)
Development of Design Methodologies for the Improvement of Wind and Thermal Comfort in the Urban Environment, 2015-2018. HK$608,600. RGC-CRF (C5002-14G)
Publications SCI Journal Articles Lin Z, Cleland AC, Cleland DJ Serrallach GF, 1996. A simple method for prediction of chilling times of objects of two-dimensional irregular shape. International Journal of Refrigeration-Revue Internationale du Froid, 19: 95-106.
Lin Z, Cleland AC, Cleland DJ Serrallach GF, 1996. A simple method for prediction of chilling times: extension to three-dimensional irregular shapes. International Journal of Refrigeration-Revue Internationale du Froid, 19: 107-114.
Chow TT, Lin Z, 1999. Prediction of on-coil temperature of condensers installed at tall building re-entrant. Applied Thermal Engineering, 19(2): 117-132.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Wong TC, 2000. The radon concentration in a ventilated indoor space in Hong Kong . Strojniski Vestnik-Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 46(7): 466-474.
Wang QW, Tao WQ, Lin Z, Chow TT, 2000. An experimental investigation of natural convection in a cubic inclined enclosure with multiple isolated plates, Journal of Heat Transfer-Transactions of the ASME, 122: 176-179.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Wang QW, 2000. Effect of building re-entrant shape on performance of air-cooled condensing units, Energy and Buildings, 32(2): 143-152.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Wang QW, 2001. Flow Analysis of condenser cooling air delivery via building light well, Applied Thermal Engineering, 21: 831-843.
Chow TT, Zhang GQ, Lin Z, Song CL, 2002. Global optimization of absorption chiller system by genetic algorithm and neural network, Energy and Buildings, 34(1): 103-109.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Liu JP, 2002. Effect of condensing unit layout at building re-entrant on split-type air-conditioner performance, Energy and Buildings, 34(3): 237-244.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Yang XY, 2002. Placement of condensing units of split-type air-conditioners at low-rise residences, Applied Thermal Engineering, 22: 1431-1444.
Fei Y, Zhou J, Li P-d, Lin JZ, Chow TT, 2003. Preliminary real-scale experimental studies on cable fires in plenum, Journal of Fire Sciences, 21(6): 465-484.
Lin JZ, Chow TT, Fei Y, Zhou J-j and Zou Y-h. 2004. A partial differential model for the pyrolysis of materials with movable residual layer. Mechanics of Advanced Materials and Structures. 12(2): 1-7.
Lin Z, Chow, TT, Fong, KF, Wang Q and Li Y, 2005. Comparison of performances of displacement and mixing ventilations (Part I) ? thermal comfort. International journal of Refrigeration-Revue Internationale du Froid, 28: 276-287.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Fong KF, Tsang CF and Wang Q, 2005. Comparison of performances of displacement and mixing ventilations (Part II) ? indoor air quality. International journal of Refrigeration-Revue Internationale du Froid, 28: 288-305.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF and Chan LS, 2005. Effect of air supply temperature on the performance of displacement ventilation (Part I) ? thermal comfort. Indoor and Built Environment, 14(2); 103-116.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Chan LS and Fong KF, 2005. Effect of air supply temperature on the performance of displacement ventilation (Part II) ? indoor air quality. Indoor and Built Environment, 14(2); 117-132.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF, Chan LS, 2005. CFD study on effect of the air supply location on the performance of the displacement ventilation system, Building and Environment, 40(8): 1051-1067.
Chow TT, Chan ALS, Fong KF, Lin Z, 2005. Hong Kong solar radiation on building facades evaluated by numerical models. Applied Thermal Engineering, 25(13): 1908-1921.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, 2006. Validation of CFD model for research into stratum ventilation. International Journal of Ventilation, 5(3): 345-363.
Chow TT, Chan ALS, Fong KF, Lin Z, 2006. Some perceptions on typical weather year — from the observations of Hong Kong and Macau. Solar Energy, 80(4): 459-467.
Chan ALS, Chow TT, Fong SKF, Lin JZ, 2006. Generation of a typical meteorological year for Hong Kong. Energy Conversion and Management, 47: 87-96.
Chow TT, Chan ALS, Fong KF Lin Z, 2006. Potential application of a centralized solar water heating system for a high-rise residential building in Hong Kong. Applied Energy, 83:42-54.
Lin Z, Jiang F, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Lu WZ, 2006. CFD analysis of ventilation effectiveness in a public transport interchange. Building and Environment, 41(3): 254-261.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, 2006. Effects of headroom on performance of the displacement ventilation system. Indoor and Built Environment, 15: 333-346.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Bai W, 2006. The integrated effect of medical lamp position and diffuser discharge velocity on ultra-clean ventilation performance in operating theatre. Indoor and Built Environment, 15: 315-331.
Chow TT, Kwan A, Lin Z, Bai W, 2006. A computer evaluation of ventilation performance in a negative-pressure operating theater. Anesthesia and Analgesia, 103(4): 913-918.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Bai W, 2006. Assessment of alternative ventilation schemes at public transport interchange. Transportation Research Part D-Transport and Environment, 11: 447-458.
Chan ALS, Chow TT, Fong SKF, Lin JZ, 2006. Performance evaluation of district cooling plant with ice storage. Energy, 31(14): 2750-2762.
Chow TT, Lin Z, He W, Chan ALS, Fong KF, 2006. Use of ventilated solar screen window in warm climate. Applied Thermal Engineering, 26: 1910-1918.
Chow TT, Kwan A, Lin Z, Bai W, 2006. Conversion of operating theatre from positive to negative pressure environment. Journal of Hospital Infection, 64: 371-378.
Li Y, Leung GM, Tang JW, Yang X, Chao C, Lin JZ, Lu JW, Nielsen PV, Niu J, Qian H, Sleigh AC; Su H–J, Sundell J, Wong TW, Yuen PL, 2007. Role of ventilation in airborne transmission of infectious agents in the built environment – a multidisciplinary systematic review. Indoor Air, 17: 2-18.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, 2007. Effect of door opening on the performance of displacement ventilation in a typical office building. Building and Environment, 42(3): 1335-1347.
Fei Y, Lin Z, Zhou J-j, Chow T T, 2007. Direct numerical simulation on the pyrolysis of materials with volatile residue layer. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 31: 770-779.
Chow TT, Fong KF, He W, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2007. Performance evaluation of a PV ventilated window applying to office building of Hong Kong. Energy and Buildings, 39(6): 643-650.
Tian L, Lin Z, Liu J, Wang Q, 2008. Numerical study of indoor air quality and thermal comfort under stratum ventilation. Progress in Computational Fluid Dynamics, 8(7-8): 541-548.
Chow TT, He W, Chan ALS, Fong KF, Lin Z, Ji J, 2008. Computer modeling and experimental validation of a building-integrated photovoltaic and water heating system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 28(11-12): 1356-1364.
Shum WS, Lin Z, 2008. Eulerian and Lagrangian formulations of steady rotating annuli. ZAMM-Zeitschrift fur Angewandte Mathematik und Mechanik (Journal of Applied Mathematics and Mechanics), 88(11): 874 – 887.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF, Chan LS and Shum WS, 2008. Effect of ventilation system on smoke and fire spread in a public transport interchange. Fire Technology, 44(4): 463-479.
Chow TT, Pei G, Chan ALS, Lin Z, Fong KF, 2009. A comparative study of PV glazing performance in warm climate. Indoor and Built Environment, 18(1): 32-40.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF, Chan LS, Shum WS and Tsai L, 2009. Effect of internal partitions on the performance of under floor air supply ventilation in a typical office environment. Building and Environment, 44: 534-545.
Chow TT, Pei G, Fong KF, Lin Z, Chan ALS, Ji J, 2009. Energy and exergy analysis of photovoltaic-thermal collector with and without glass cover. Applied Energy, 86(3): 310-316.
Chow TT, Li C, Lin Z, Fong KF, Chan LS, Pei G, 2009. Experimental evaluation of ventilated glazing performance in Hong Kong. International Journal of Energy Research, 33(5): 526-537.
Chow TT, Chan ALS, Fong KF, Lin Z, He W, Ji J, 2009. Annual performance of building-integrated photovoltaic/water-heating system for warm climate application. Applied Energy, 86(5): 689-696.
Tian L, Lin Z, Wang Q, Liu J, 2009. Numerical investigation of indoor aerosol particle dispersion under stratum ventilation and under displacement ventilation. Indoor and Built Environment, 18(4): 360-375.
Chow TT, Lin Z, Fong KF, Chan LS, He MM, 2009. Thermal performance of natural airflow window in subtropical and temperate climate zones – A comparative study. Energy Conversion and Management, 50(8): 1884-1890.
Chan ALS, Chow TT, Fong KF, Lin Z, 2009. Investigation on energy performance of double skin fa?ade in Hong Kong. Energy and Buildings, 41(11): 1135 - 1142.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF, Chan LS, 2009. Stratum ventilation - a potential solution to elevated indoor temperatures. Building and Environment, 44(11): 2256-2269.
Chow TT, Li C, Lin Z, 2010. Innovative solar windows for cooling-demand climate. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 94(2):212-220.
Fong KF, Chow TT, Lee CK, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Comparative study of different solar cooling systems for buildings in subtropical city. Solar Energy, 84(2): 227-244.
Fong KF, Chow TT, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Simulation-optimization of solar-assisted desiccant cooling system for subtropical Hong Kong. Applied Thermal Engineering, 94(2-3):220-228.
Chow TT, Pei G, Fong KF, Lin Z, Chan ALS, He M, 2010. Modeling and application of direct-expansion solar-assisted heat pump for water heating in subtropical Hong Kong. Applied Energy, 87(2):643-649.
Shum WS and Lin Z, 2010. Dynamic motion of whirling rods with Coriolis effect. Applied Mathematical Modelling, 34(5): 1203-1216.
Lin Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF, Fong KF, Chan LS, 2010. Stratum ventilation for a workshop under elevated indoor temperature. International Journal of Ventilation, 9(1): 47-58.
Tian L, Lin Z, Wang Q, 2010. Comparison of gaseous contaminant diffusion under stratum ventilation and under displacement ventilation. Building and Environment, 45(9):2035-2046.
Fong KF, Chow TT, Li C, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Effect of neutral temperature on energy saving of centralized air-conditioning systems in subtropical Hong Kong. Applied Thermal Engineering, 30: 1659-1665.
Chow TT, Fong KF, Givoni G, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Thermal Sensation of Hong Kong people with increased air speed, temperature and humidity in air-conditioned environment. Building and Environment, 45(10):2177-2183.
Fong KF, Lee CK, Chow TT, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Solar hybrid air-conditioning system for high temperature cooling in subtropical city. Renewable Energy, 35: 2439-2451.
Fong KF, Lee CK, Chow TT, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2010. Advancement of solar desiccant cooling system for building use in subtropical Hong Kong. Energy and Buildings, 42(12):2386-2399.
Lin Z, Lee CK, Fong KF, Chow TT, Yao T, Chan ALS, 2011. Comparison of annual energy performances with different ventilation methods for cooling. Energy and Buildings, 43: 130–136.
Fong ML, Lin Z, Fong KF, Chow TT, Yao T, 2011. Evaluation of thermal comfort conditions in a classroom with three ventilation methods. Indoor Air, 21(3): 231-239.
Lin Z, Tian L, Yao T, Wang Q, Chow TT, 2011. Experimental and numerical study of room airflow under stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 46: 235-244.
Tian L, Lin Z, Liu J, Yao T, Wang Q, 2011. The Impact of Temperature on Mean Local Air Age and Thermal Comfort in a Stratum Ventilated Office. Building and Environment, 46: 501-510.
Chow TT, Li C, Lin Z, 2011. Thermal characteristics of water-flow double-pane window. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 50(2): 140-148.
Lin Z, Tsang CF, Chow TT, Fong KF, Yao T, 2011. A Case Study of the Energy Saving Potential of Stratum Ventilation. International Journal of Ventilation, 9(4): 329-336.
Lai SK, Lim CW, Lin Z, Zhang W, 2011. Analytical analysis for large-amplitude oscillation of a rotational pendulum system. Applied Mathematics and Computation, 217: 6115–6124.
Chow TT, Li C, Lin Z, 2011. The function of solar absorbing window as water-heating device. Building and Environment, 46(4): 955-960.
Tian L, Lin Z, Wang Q, 2011. Experimental investigation of thermal and ventilation performances of stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 46: 1309-1320.
Fong KF, Chow TT, Lee CK, Lin Z, Chan LS, 2011. Solar hybrid cooling system for high-tech offices in subtropical climate - Radiant cooling by absorption refrigeration and desiccant dehumidification. Energy Conversion and Management, 52(8-9): 2883-2894.
Lin Z, 2011. Effective draft temperature for evaluating the performance of stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 46: 1843-1850.
Fong KF, Lee CK, Chow TT, Lin Z, Chan ALS, 2011. Application potential of solar air-conditioning systems for displacement ventilation. Energy and Buildings, 43: 2068-2076.
Lin Z, Yao T, Chow TT, Fong KF, Chan LS, 2011. Performance Evaluation and Design Guidelines for Stratum Ventilation. Building and Environment, 46: 2267-2279.
Lin Z, Lee CK, Fong KF, Chow TT, 2011. Comparison of annual energy performances with different ventilation methods for temperature and humidity control. Energy and Buildings, 43: 3599-3608.
Lin Z, Wang J, Yao T, Chow TT, 2012. Investigation into anti-airborne infection performance of stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 54: 29-38.
Chow TT, Bai Y, Fong KF, Lin Z, 2012. Analysis of a solar assisted heat pump system for indoor swimming pool water and space heating. Applied Energy, 100: 309-317.
Lee CK, Fong KF, Lin Z, Chow TT, 2013. Year-round energy saving potential of stratum ventilated classrooms with temperature and humidity control. HVAC&R Research, 19(8): 986-991.
Wang Z, Zheng Y, Wang F, Wang X, Lin Z, Li J, Huan C. Experimental analysis on a novel frost-free air-source heat pump water heater system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 70: 808-816.
Wang Z, Zheng Y, Wang F, Lin Z, Huan C, Li Y. Experimental Study on Energy Consumption and Hydraulic Stability for Distributed Pumping System. Arabian Journal for Science and Engineering, 39(10): 6883-6894.
Cheng Y, Fong ML, Yao T, Lin Z, Fong KF, 2014. Uniformity of stratum ventilated thermal environment and thermal sensation. Indoor Air, 24(5): 521-532.
Yao T, Lin Z, 2014. An investigation into the performance of fabric diffusers used in stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 81: 103-111.
Yao T, Lin Z, 2014. An experimental and numerical study on the effect of air terminal layout on the performance of stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 82: 75-86.
Yao T, Lin Z, 2014. An experimental and numerical study on the effect of air terminal types on the performance of stratum ventilation. Building and Environment, 82: 431-441.
Wang F, Wang Z, Zheng Y, Lin Z, Hao P, Huan C, Wang T, 2015. Performance investigation of a novel frost-free air-source heat pump water heater combined with energy storage and dehumidification. Applied Energy, 139:212-219.
Cheng Y, Lin Z, 2015. Experimental study of airflow characteristics of stratum ventilation in a multi-occupant room with comparison to mixing ventilation and displacement ventilation. Indoor Air, DOI: 10.1111/ina.12188.
Wu W, Lin Z, 2015. An experimental study of the influence of a walking occupant on three air distribution methods. Building and Environment, 85: 211-219.
Wu W, Lin Z, 2015. Experimental study of the influence of a moving manikin on temperature profile and carbon dioxide distribution under three air distribution methods. Building and Environment, 87: 142-153.
Niu J, Liu J, Lee T-c, Lin Z, Mak CM, Tse K-T, Tang BS, Kwok KCS, 2015. A new method to assess spatial variations of outdoor thermal comfort: onsite monitoring results and implications for precinct planning. Building and Environment, doi:10.1016/j.buildenv. 2015.02.017.
Cheng Y, Lin Z, 2015. Experimental investigation into the interaction between the human body and room airflow and its effect on thermal comfort under stratum ventilation. Indoor Air, doi: 10.1111/ina.12208.
Cheng Y, Lin Z, Fong AML, 2015. Effects of temperature and supply airflow rate on thermal comfort in a stratum-ventilated room. Building and Environment, doi:10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.04.036.
OthersKeynote Speech
Lin, Z, Chow TT, Tsang CF. Prediction of the performance of the new stratum ventilation system in a typical workshop using CFD. The Proceedings of the 22th Congress of International Institute of Refrigeration. Beijing, China, 20-26 August 2007, p 160 + CD-ROM.
Invited Forum/Symposium/Workshop Presentations
Lin Z, Chow TT. Suggestions for Placement of Split-Type A/C Outdoor Units at High-Rise Residential Buildings. The Proceedings of the First International Conference on Building Energy and Environment. Dalian, China, 13-16 July 2008.
Lin Z, Panelist. HB2012 Symposium I: Balance of Power: Energy Conservation versus Indoor Environment Quality. Proceedings of Healthy Buildings 2011 – 10th International Conference, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 8 – 12 July 2012, CD-ROM.
Lin Z. Stratum Ventilation and Its Design. 18th China HVAC&R Congress, Yantai, China, 24 – 26 October 2012. (http://www.chinahvac.com.cn/c/cn/news/2012-10/31/news_2012.html)
Lin Z, Progress made in research and design of stratum ventilation, AIVC International Workshop on Ventilative Cooling - Need, Challenges and Solution Examples, Brussels, Belgium, 19- 20 March 2013.
Lin Z, Panelist. Seminar 26 – Indoor Air Quality and Comfort: Ventilation and Air-Conditioning. 2014 ASHRAE Annual Conference, Seattle, 28 June – 2 July 2014.
Lin Z, Chair of Workshop - How to improve air distribution for both indoor air quality and energy efficiency? Indoor Air 2014 – The 13th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Hong Kong, 7 – 12 July 2014.
Lin Z. Stratum Ventilation – a New Energy Saving Technology. 19th China HVAC&R Congress, Tianjin, China, 27 – 31 October 2014.
Lin Z, Chair of Workshop - Stratum ventilation for both indoor air quality and energy efficiency. ISHVAC-COBEE 2015, Tianjin, 12 – 15 July 2015.