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Title: A transient heat and mass transfer model of residential attics used to simulate radiant barrier retrofits. Part 2: Validation and simulations

Abstract

A computer program was developed and used to implement the model described on Part 1 of this paper. The program used an iterative process to predict temperatures and heat fluxes using linear algebra principles. The results from the program were compared to experimental data collected during a three-year period. The model simulated different conditions such as variations in attic ventilation, variations in attic ceiling insulation, and different radiant barrier orientations for summer and winter seasons. It was observed that the model predicted with an error of less than 10% for most cases. This paper presents model results for nonradiant barrier cases as well as cases for radiant barriers installed horizontally on top of the attic floor (HRB) and for radiant barriers stapled to the attic rafters (TRB). Savings produced by radiant barriers and sensitivity analyses are also presented. The model results supported the experimental trend that emissivity was the single most significant parameter that affected the performance of radiant barriers.

Authors:
 [1]
  1. Texas A and M Univ., Kingsville, TX (United States). Dept. of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
Publication Date:
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
616320
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Journal of Solar Energy Engineering
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 120; Journal Issue: 1; Other Information: PBD: Feb 1998
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; ATTICS; THERMAL INSULATION; HEAT TRANSFER; MASS TRANSFER; MATHEMATICAL MODELS; RETROFITTING; VALIDATION; COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION; DESIGN

Citation Formats

Medina, M A. A transient heat and mass transfer model of residential attics used to simulate radiant barrier retrofits. Part 2: Validation and simulations. United States: N. p., 1998. Web. doi:10.1115/1.2888045.
Medina, M A. A transient heat and mass transfer model of residential attics used to simulate radiant barrier retrofits. Part 2: Validation and simulations. United States. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2888045
Medina, M A. 1998. "A transient heat and mass transfer model of residential attics used to simulate radiant barrier retrofits. Part 2: Validation and simulations". United States. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2888045.
@article{osti_616320,
title = {A transient heat and mass transfer model of residential attics used to simulate radiant barrier retrofits. Part 2: Validation and simulations},
author = {Medina, M A},
abstractNote = {A computer program was developed and used to implement the model described on Part 1 of this paper. The program used an iterative process to predict temperatures and heat fluxes using linear algebra principles. The results from the program were compared to experimental data collected during a three-year period. The model simulated different conditions such as variations in attic ventilation, variations in attic ceiling insulation, and different radiant barrier orientations for summer and winter seasons. It was observed that the model predicted with an error of less than 10% for most cases. This paper presents model results for nonradiant barrier cases as well as cases for radiant barriers installed horizontally on top of the attic floor (HRB) and for radiant barriers stapled to the attic rafters (TRB). Savings produced by radiant barriers and sensitivity analyses are also presented. The model results supported the experimental trend that emissivity was the single most significant parameter that affected the performance of radiant barriers.},
doi = {10.1115/1.2888045},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/616320}, journal = {Journal of Solar Energy Engineering},
number = 1,
volume = 120,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1998},
month = {Sun Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1998}
}