Paper Conference

Proceedings of SimBuild Conference 2006: 2nd conference of IBPSA-USA

     

Implementation of an Earth Tube System into EnergyPlus Program

Kwang Ho Lee, Richard K. Strand
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL

Abstract: A new module was developed for and implemented in the EnergyPlus program for the simulation of earth tubes. This paper describes the basic concepts, assumptions, and algorithms implemented into the EnergyPlus program to predict the performance of an earth tube. Using the new module, a parametric analysis was carried out to investigate the effect of pipe radius, pipe length, air flow rate and pipe depth on the overall performance of the earth tube under various conditions. Pipe length, air flow rate and pipe depth are predicted to have more influence on the performance than pipe radius. In addition, pipe length and pipe depth turned out to affect the overall cooling rate of the earth tube, while pipe radius and air flow rate mainly affect earth tube inlet temperature.
Pages: 58 - 66
Paper:
simbuild2006_SB06_058_066