LoopDA: A Natural Ventiation System Design and Analysis Tool.
LoopDA: A Natural Ventiation System Design and Analysis
Tool.
(3187 K)
Emmerich, S. J.; Dols, W. S.
Building Simulation 2003, 8th International Building
Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA) Conference.
Proceedings. August 11-14, 2003, Eindhoven,
Netherlands, 291-298 pp, 2003.
Sponsor:
Department of Energy, Washington, DC
Keywords:
ventilation; airflow analysis; computer programs; design
tool; indoor air quality; multizone analysis; natural
ventilation
Abstract:
The Loop Equation Design Method has been proposed for
sizing ventilation airflow components of natural and
hybrid ventilation systems. While the loop design method
has been demonstrated on a limited basis, the method has
been automated in order to better evaluate its
reliability under a more controlled, i.e., less
error-prone, environment. This paper describes a
computer program that implements the Loop Equation
Design Method of sizing the openings of naturally
ventilated buildings. The tool, referred to as LoopDA
for Loop Design and Analysis, is integrated with the
existing multi-zone IAQ model CONTAMW. LoopDA provides
the designer of natural ventilation systems with an
environment in which to perform and document the process
of designing the opening sizes of natural ventilation
systems and analyzing the system behavior under a
variety of operating conditions. This paper describes
the first version of the LoopDA program, provides an
example of its application to the design of a naturally
ventilated building and describes needs for future
enhancements to the tool to increase its usefulness
within the design community.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899