Description and preliminary validation of a model for natural convection heat and air transport in passive solar buildings

Conference · Tue Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1985

OSTI ID:5347454

Jones, G F; Balcomb, J D

We have proposed a transient, quasi-two-dimensional, numerical model for interzone heat flow and airflow in passive solar buildings. The paths for heat flow and airflow are through connecting apertures such as doorways, hallways, and stairways. The model includes the major features that influence interzone convection as determined from the results of our flow visualization tests and temperature and airflow measurements taken in more than a dozen passive solar buildings. The model includes laminar and turbulent quasi-steady boundary-layer equations at vertical heated or cooled walls which are coupled to a one-dimensional core model for each zone. The cores in each zone exchange air and energy through the aperture which is modelled by a Bernoulli equation. Preliminary results from the model are in general agreement with data obtained in full-scale buildings and laboratory experiments. The model predicts room-core temperature stratification of about 2/sup 0/C/m (1.1/sup 0/ F/ft) and maximum aperture velocities of 0.08 m/s (15 ft/min.) for a room-to-room temperature difference of 1/sup 0/F.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-36
• OSTI ID: 5347454
• Report Number(s): LA-UR-85-2844; CONF-851030-3; ON: DE85017563
• Resource Relation: Conference: SOLAR '85, Raleigh, NC, USA, 15 Oct 1985; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
BUILDINGS
NATURAL CONVECTION
FLOW MODELS
AIR FLOW
HEAT FLOW
STRATIFICATION
TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTION
THERMAL COMFORT
VALIDATION
VELOCITY
CONVECTION
ENERGY TRANSFER
FLUID FLOW
GAS FLOW
HEAT TRANSFER
MASS TRANSFER
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
TESTING
140901* - Solar Thermal Utilization- Space Heating & Cooling