MODELING OF UNDERFLOOR AIR DISTRIBUTION (UFAD) SYSTEMS

Abstract

In this paper, we discuss the development of a module that is capable for the first time of simulatingUFAD systems in EnergyPlus. We describe the new models for EnergyPlus that simulate two important elements of these systems: underfloor air supply plenums and room air stratification under cooling operation. These algorithms were developed over a 5-year period of intensive interdisciplinary work consisting of theory, bench-scale and full-scale experimental testing, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), analytical, and empirical modeling. We describe the modeling methods, show examples of a preliminary validation based on experimental data, and present results of research studies that have significantly contributed to a more complete understanding of the behavior of UFAD systems.