modelZone

Information

This model is the main zone model. Surfaces such as windows and walls can be connectured using the propsBus connectors and HVAC can be connected using FluidPorts. The model contains models or options for radiative heat exchange, internal heat gains, interzonal air exchange and a zone air model.

Typical use and important parameters

Any number of surfaces can be connected to the propsbus of a zone. The number of connected surfaces must be specified using the parameter nSurf and each of the nSurf propsbus components has to be connected to exactly one surface.

Parameter V must be used to define the total zone air volume.

Parameter hZone is the zone height, which may be used to define the zone geometry.

Parameter A is the total floor surface area of the zone.

Replaceable parameter airModel determines the type of air model that is used.

Replaceable model occNum allows the user to choose a way to define the number of occupants that are present in the zone. This number of occupants is used to compute the internal heat gains in the model. Depending on the chosen model, an external input yOcc may be exposed by the zone model.

Parameter occTyp determines occupants properties. These properties may be used to evaluate internal comfort, or to determine internal gains.

Parameter comfort determines how occupant comfort may be computed.

Options

Parameter intGai determines internal gains model type. By default the internal gains model considers a fixed sensible and latent heat load and CO2 production per person.

Parameter simVieFac may be set to false to simplify the view factor calculation. This leads to a less accurate computation of view factors, but this approach is more robust. It may be used when the initial equation that computes the view factors does not converge.

Replaceable model interzonalAirFlow allows to choose between multiple options for modelling air leakage and interzonal airflow. This model can have a strong influence on numerics and on model results if used inappropliately, therefore only change the default value if you know what you are doing.

The lighting options allow to compute the thermal heat gains originating in the zone lighting. We assume that electric power use is converted for 100 % into heat gains. The record rooType determines the type of room, and the typical illuminance that corresponds to such a room type. The record ligTyp determines what kind of lighting device is used, which contains the lighting efficacy of the device, i.e. how much electric power is required per square meter of lighted zone. We assume that the zone is lighted completely. The model ligCtr determines how the lighting is controlled. See IDEAS.Buildings.Components.LightingControl for the available options.

The design heat losses Q_design are calculated via an initial equation based on, but not exactly according to, NBN EN 12831-1 ANB:2020. This value includes heat losses via transmission (QTra_design) and infiltration (QInf_design) and accounts for reheating (QRH_design). Ventilation losses are not considered as this system is typically modelled in a seperate block, see for example IDEAS.Templates.Interfaces.Building. In this model, the total design losses are calculated as the sum of the design losses from the building envelope (transmission, infiltration, reheating) and the ventilation system.

Parameters

Connectors

Components

Revisions

• August 10, 2020, by Filip Jorissen:
  Modifications for supporting interzonal airflow. See #1066
• October 13, 2019 by Filip Jorissen:
  Added number of surfaces in the zone icon. for #1068.
• March 28, 2019 by Filip Jorissen:
  Revised documentation for #998.
• July 26, 2018 by Filip Jorissen:
  Added replaceable block that allows to define the number of occupants. See #760.
• October 22, 2016, by Filip Jorissen:
  Revised documentation for IDEAS 1.0.
• August 26, 2016 by Filip Jorissen:
  Added support for conservation of energy of air model.
• April 30, 2016, by Filip Jorissen:
  Added replaceable air model implementation.
• March, 2015, by Filip Jorissen:
  Added view factor implementation.