RTS
RTS
RTS
Journal of Engineering
Cooling Load Calculations For Typical Iraqi Roof And Wall Constructions
Using Ashrae's RTS Method
Khalid Ahmed Joudi
Professor
College of Engineering-University of Baghdad
E-mail: Khalid47joudi@yahoo.com
ABSERACT
he present work is an attempt to develop design data for an Iraqi roof and wall
constructions using the latest ASHRAE Radiant Time Series (RTS) cooling load calculation
method. The work involves calculation of cooling load theoretically by introducing the design
data for Iraq, and verifies the results experimentally by field measurements. Technical
specifications of Iraqi construction materials are used to derive the conduction time factors that
needed in RTS method calculations. Special software published by Oklahoma state university is
used to extract the conduction factors according to the technical specifications of Iraqi
construction materials. Good agreement between the average theoretical and measured cooling
load is obtained and the difference between them does not exceed 9.3%.
Key words: Iraqi constructions cooling load.
RTS
.(RTS)
. ,
.(RTS)
.
.%3,9
87
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
1. INTRODUCTION
Among six common ASHRAE methods: Equivalent Temperature Difference (ETD), Total
Equivalent
Temperature
Differential
with
Time
Averaging
(TETD/TA),
Transfer Function Method (TFM), Cooling Load Temperature Difference/Solar Cooling
Load/Cooling Load Factor (CLTD/SCL/CLF), Heat Balance Method (HBM), and Radiant Time
Series Method (RTSM), the Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM) is the latest ASHRAE method
for calculating the cooling load. RTSM is a simplified method that is heat-balance based but
does not solve the heat balance equations. The storage and release of energy in the zone is
approximated by a set of predetermined zone response factors, called radiant time factors
(RTFs), Spitler, et al., 1997. The transient conduction calculation is approximated using another
set of predetermined thermal response factors, called periodic response factors (PRFs) which
relate conduction heat gains directly to temperatures only ,Spitler, and Fisher, 1999a and, Chen
and Wang, 2005. By incorporating these simplifications, the RTSM calculation procedure
becomes explicit, avoiding the requirement to solve the simultaneous system of Heat Balance
(HB) equations. The RTSM shares many of the heat transfer sub-models used by the HBM and
has the equivalent principle of superposition used in the Transfer Function Method TFM ,Spitler
and Fisher, 1999b. Moreover, it is a rather simplified method that does not require iterative
calculations like the HBM and the TFM. If the radiant time factors (RTFs) and the periodic
response factors (PRFs) for a particular zone configuration are known, the RTSM may be
implemented in a spreadsheet. The method is useful not only for peak load calculations, but also
for estimating component contributions to the hourly cooling loads that is useful for both
pedagogy and design ,Iu, 2002.
Following the development of the RTSM, it was verified by comparing cooling loads
predicted by the RTSM with cooling loads predicted by the heat balance method for a wide
range of zone configurations. Rees, et al., 2000, compared RTSM and heat balance cooling loads
for 1296 configurations, which were generated by parametrically varying significant input
parameters over a wide range. This analysis conclusively demonstrated that the RTSM always
produces a conservative estimate of the cooling load when compared to the heat balance method.
However, the over-prediction of the cooling load by the RTSM tends to increase as the fraction
of window area in the zone increases. Since the HBM and RTSM share most of the heat transfer
models in the cooling load calculation, the Periodic Response Factor (PRF) and the Radiant
Time Factor (RTF) models that are used exclusively in the RTSM are considered the most likely
sources of error.
A series of investigations of the Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM), in some cases, leading
to improvements to the method was introduced by Nigusse, 2007. It included sub-models,
supporting data, or facilitation of implementation in a wide range of computing environments.
These developments comprise the improved RTSM procedure, which accounts for transmission
of radiant heat gains back to the outside by conduction through fenestration or other high
conductance surfaces. As a result a new set of radiative / convective splits were established to
facilitate implementation of the RTSM in a range of computing environments, and parametric
investigation to establish the method limitations and provide design guidance.
The radiant time series method (RTSM) has effectively replaced the manual load calculation
procedures and has attracted interest , Nigusse, 2007 due to:
88
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
(1)
where Ti is the indoor temperature and Te,t-n is the sol-air temperature at n hours ago and is
expressed as:
011
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
(2)
Conductive heat gain through walls or roofs can be calculated using conductive heat inputs
for the current hour and past 23 hours and conduction time series , ASHRAE, 2009:
+ + cf23Qi,t-23
(3)
cf0, cf1, etc. represent the conduction time factors. Multiplying of the conduction time factors
by the U value gives the periodic response factors, pr and equation (3) may be rewritten as:
(
(4)
b. For other components of heat gain (fenestration, ventilation and infiltration, internal, and
etc.), the same procedure is applied as in any other method as follows:
i.
Solar and thermal heat gain through fenestration is calculated as (ASHRAE
2009):
(5a)
(5b)
where I is the solar radiation. The subscripts b, d, and r refer to beam, diffuse and reflected
portions respectively. SHGC() and SHGCD are the solar heat gain coefficients as a function of
the incident angle and the diffuse radiation respectively. IAC() and IACD are the indoor solar
attenuation coefficient functions of the incident angle and diffuse radiation respectively.
ii.
Total heat gain from infiltration or ventilation is
iii.
(6)
For occupancy, occupants emit sensible and latent heat at a metabolic rate depending on the
state of activity. Tables of ASHRAE summarize design data for common conditions.
For equipment,
(8)
where P is the motor power rating, EM is the motor efficiency, FUM is the motor use factor, and
FLM is the motor load factor.
010
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
2. Heat gain through all components, are calculated for each hour, and then divided into two
portions according to Table 1. The hourly convective portion heat gain, which is converted
directly to hourly convective cooling load, and, the hourly radiant portion heat gain.
3. Apply appropriate radiant time series (table 19 and 20 in chapter 18 of, ASHRAE Handbook
of Fundamentals 2009 to the radiant heat gains to account for time delay in conversion to
cooling load. The radiant time series are the series of 24 factor denoted by r in the present study
and represent the hourly ratio of converting the radiant part of hourly heat gain to hourly cooling
load.
The radiant time series or Radiant Time Factors (RTF) are thus generated from heat balance
procedures between interior surfaces radiant heat gain and room air for different types of
structures, fenestrations, and furnishing. These factors are tabulated for specific cases, (as
indicated in table 19 and 20 in chapter 18 of ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals 2009) to use
them directly for the certain application instead of performing inside surface and room air heat
balances. Converting the radiant portion of hourly heat gains into hourly cooling loads is
accomplished by the following equation:
Qclr,t = r0Qr,t + r1Qr,t 1 + r2Qr,t 2 + r3Qr,t 3 + + r23Qr,t 23
(9)
4. The hourly radiant portion cooling load calculated in 3 above is then added to the hourly
convective cooling load to obtain the total hourly cooling load for a certain component.
5. After calculating cooling loads for each component for each hour, sum them to determine the
total cooling load for each hour and select the hour with the peak load for design of the airconditioning system.
Tables 19 and 20 (in chapter 18 of ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals 2009) of radiant time
factors introduce representative solar and non-solar radiant time series data for light, medium,
and heavyweight constructions. The two different radiant time series solar and non-solar are used
as follows:
a. Solar, for direct transmitted solar heat gain (radiant energy is assumed to be distributed
to the floor and furnishings only) and,
b. Non-solar, for all other types of heat gains (radiant energy assumed to be uniformly
distributed on all internal surfaces). Non-solar RTS apply to radiant heat gains from
people, lights, appliances, walls, roofs, and floors. Also, for diffuse solar heat gain and
direct solar heat gain from fenestration with inside shading (blinds, drapes, etc.), the
nonsolar RTS should be used.
The radiant time series representative zone construction for tables 19 and 20 is indicated in
table 21 in chapter 18 of, ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals 2009.
2.1. Evaluation of Periodic Response Factors (PRFs) of Roof and Wall Constructions
Iu and Fisher 2001, published a software program called Periodic Response Factor / Radiant
Time Factor (PRF/RTF) Generator. They used the most developed accurate methods to derive
the conduction transfer function coefficients and the periodic response factors that are needed to
calculate the heat gain from walls and roofs. Giving the physical properties of any structure with
any number of layers, this software can yields the conduction transfer function coefficients, the
011
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
periodic response factors, and the U value, in addition to the radiant time factors for the certain
space. The physical properties that must be given include; thickness, thermal conductivity,
density, and specific heat for each layer of a homogeneous material constituting the wall or roof.
For non-homogeneous materials and for air gaps and air films in and outside the structure, the
equivalent thermal resistance is the input instead of the other physical properties. Fig. 2 shows
the dialog box used for creating the input file
This program is very useful and reasonable when the used structures are different to those
mentioned in the ASHRAE issues. Therefore, this software is used in the present study for
typical Iraqi construction materials.
3. EXPERIMENTAL VERIFICATION OF RTSM
Fig. 3 shows the schematic floor plan of a 24 hr air-conditioned space in the second floor of
the maintenance department building of the medical city in Baghdad (33.3o N latitude and 44.4o
E longitude) for the test space. The inlet conditioned air comes through a 24x24 cm ceiling
diffuser at 6 m/s supply velocity. The space construction components detailed are in Table 2.
Table 3 presents the thermal properties of the materials of the roof and wall constructions.
Inserting the thermal properties of the building materials in the dialog box of PRF/RTF
Generator program gives the periodic response factors that are needed to calculate the heat gain
of the roof and walls. Table 4 listed the periodic response factors of roof and wall constructions
of Table 2.
Thus, the theoretical cooling load can be calculated by apply Eqs. (2, 4, 5a, 5b, and 9).The
values of prs are taken from Table 4 for the concrete roof and the thermo-stone walls. The heat
gain per unit area for the concrete roof and the thermo-stone wall for the NE and NW directions
are given in Tables 5a. and 5b. respectively. The fenestration specifications are given in table 6,
and the values of rs are selected from table 19 in chapter 18 of, ASHRAE Handbook of
Fundamentals 2009 for heavy weight, no carpet and 10% of glass to wall ratio. Table 7 lists
these r values.
The experimental verification of the calculated cooling load was accomplished by measuring
the average indoor air temperature, the supply air temperature and flow rate. The sensible heat
extraction was calculated as:
where
(10)
(11a)
(11b)
and
(11c)
where the specific heat of dry air and water vapor were taken at 1.006, and 1.840 kJ/kg.K
respectively for the range of air conditioning temperatures and ws is the moisture content. The
approximated value of cp is equal to 1.012 kJ/kg.K.
012
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
The heat extraction rate is equal to the cooling load if the indoor temperature of the space is
constant. The latent load inside the space was zero for no occupancy.
4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fig. 4 shows the time delay of the roof and the external wall of the tested space. The time
delay of the construction type can be defined as the difference between the hour of the peak heat
gain in the space and the hour of the peak heat input at the external surface, Nigusse, 2007. The
exterior and interior air conductance can be included in the wall and roof constructions. The time
of the peak outer heat input to the construction is the time of the peak value of the sol-air
temperature. Therefore, the time delay is the difference in the times of the peak heat gain and
peak sol-air temperature. The value of the time delay is independent of the direction of the
construction or the date at which it is calculated. It is only dependent on the material types of the
construction and the inner and outer air conductance. The concrete roof of the tested space has
12 hours' time delay. The presence of the Styrofoam as an insulating material and the heavy
weight of the roof slow the heat flow and reduce the peak and total heat gain, in addition, they
make the time delay of the peak heat gain longer. The thermo-stone walls of the test space have
8.5 hours' time delay. This is because the thermo-stone has low thermal conductivity which
results in a reduction of the heat gain across the wall. This reduces the exterior heat input and
delays the hour at which the peak load occurs.
Fig. 5 shows the components of heat gain and cooling load of the test space using RTS method
on July 8, 2011. The effect of the weight construction on the damping of the cooling load values
is clearly apparent. The fenestration load component is the largest component because of the big
area of the window, in spite of the shading of the concrete curtain wall. Fig. 6 shows the
comparison between total theoretical cooling load and the measured heat extraction rate. Also, it
shows the indoor and supply air temperatures. The values of the measured load (heat extraction
rate) fluctuate at the early hours of the morning and the last hours of the evening because of
small fluctuations in the measured indoor temperature at these hours. The average values of the
measured load and the calculated (theoretical) cooling load along the day are 1864.4 and 1690.3
W respectively. The underestimate of the calculated value is about 9.3%.
Good agreement between the average theoretical and measured cooling load is obtained from
the comparison. This means that the calculated values of the cooling load of the Iraqi tested roof
and wall using the RTS method and the procedure in the present paper is satisfied. Also the
values of heat gains that are calculated in Tables 5a. and 5b can be adopted by engineers as
design data for estimation the cooling load in Iraq for similar construction without needing
correction formulas.
5. CONCLUSIONS
The following conclusions are found pertinent for the calculations of cooling load:
1.
Radiant Time Series Method (RTSM) can be used to estimate the cooling load without
correction formula and gives a good agreement with the measured cooling load. The
underestimate of the average calculated value not exceeds 9.3% for the case in the present
study.
2.
The measured load average value is 1864.4 W, whereas the calculated (theoretical)
cooling load average value is 1690.3 W along July 8, 2011for the tested space.
013
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
3.
The roof construction of 15 cm of high density concrete, 1cm of felt and membrane, 5 cm
of Styrofoam, 5 cm of sand, 4 cm of cement shtyger, with suspended ceiling has 12 hours'
time delay.
4.
The wall construction of 30 cm thermo-stone, with 3 cm of cement plaster in the outside
and 1.5cm juss plaster and 1 cm gypsum plaster in the inside delays the peak load by 8.5
hours.
References
ASHRAE, 2009, Handbook of Fundamentals.
Chen, Y., and Wang, S., 2005, A new Procedure for Calculating Periodic Response
Factors Based on Frequency Domain Regression Method, International Journal of
Thermal Sciences, vol. 44, No. 4, PP. 382-392.
Iu, I. S., 2002. Experimental Validation of The Radiant Time Series Method for Cooling
Load Calculations, M. Sc. thesis, Oklahoma State University.
Nigusse, B. A., 2007, Improvements to the Radiant Time Series Method Cooling Load
Calculation Procedure, Ph.D. dissertation, Oklahoma State University.
Rees, S.J., Spitler, J.D., Holmes, M.J. and Haves, P., 2000, Comparison of Peak Load
Predictions and Treatment of Solar Gains in the Admittance and Heat Balance Load
Calculation Procedures, Building Services Engineering Research & Technology, vol. 21,
No. 2, PP.12538.
Spitler, J. D., Daniel E. Fisher, and Pedersen, C. O., 1997, Radiant Time Series Cooling
Load Calculation Procedure, ASHRAE Transactions, vol.103, No. 2, PP. 503-515.
Spitler, J. D., and Fisher, D. E., 1999a, Development of Periodic Response Factors for
Use with the Radiant Time Series Method, ASHRAE Transactions, vol. 105, No. 1, PP.
491-509.
Spitler, J. D., and Fisher, D. E., 1999b, On the Relationship between the Radiant Time
Series and Transfer Function Methods for Design Cooling Load Calculations, HVAC
and Research, vol. 5, No. 2, PP. 125-138.
NOMENCLATURE
A
Area,
m2
cp
Specific heat of air,
kJ/kgK
cf
conduction time factor
Em
Motor efficiency
FLM
Motor load factor
Ful, Fum lighting, motor using factor
Fsa
lighting special allowance factor
014
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
h
specific enthalpy,
kJ/kg
hi, ho
inside, outside heat transfer coefficient,
W/m2K
I
solar radiation,
W/m2
ma
air mass flow rate,
kg/s
P
motor power rating,
W
p
atmospheric pressure,
pa
pr
periodic response factor,
W/m2K
Q
heat,
W
R
gas constant of air,
kJ/kg.K
Rb,Rf
back, front face reflected of glass
R
The difference between the long wave radiation incident on the surface from the sky and
surroundings, and the radiation emitted by a black body at the outdoor air temperature
W/m2
r radiant time factor
SHGC solar Heat Gain Coefficient
T
temperature,
C
t
time,
sec
U
overall heat transfer coefficient, W/m2K
air supply velocity,
m/s
Vs air supply volume flow rate,
m3/s
Va
ventilation air volume flow rate,
m3/s
ws
moisture content,
kgwater/kgair
Greek Symbols
e
emittance of the surface
m
absorptivity of the surface
ra
air density,
kg/m3
Q
incident angle,
degrees
tv visible transmittance
fk front absorptance of layer k of glass
Subscripts
a air
b beam
c cross sectional (diffuser area)
d diffuse
e sol-air (Temperature)
f fenestration
fs solar fenestration
fth thermal fenestration
i indoor
o outdoor
r reflected (radiation)
s supply
t total (solar radiation), time (others)
015
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
Abbreviations
CL Cooling load,
W
CLF Cooling load factor,
CLTD Cooling load temperature difference, oC
CTS Conduction Time Series
ETD Equivalent temperature difference, oC
HG Heat gain,
W
IAC Indoor solar attenuation coefficient
LCav Average calculated load,
W
LMav Average measured load,
W
PRF Periodic response factor,
W/m2K
RTS Radiant time series
RTSM Radiant time series method
SCL Solar cooling load,
W/m2
SHGC Solar heat gain coefficient
TETD/TA Total equivalent temperature differential with time averaging,
TFM Transfer function method
016
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
Table 1. Recommended radiative/convective splits for heat gains components* , Nigusse, 2007.
and adopted by , ASHRAE, 2009.
Recommended
Recommended
Heat Gain Type
Radiative Fraction
Convective Fraction
Occupants, typical office conditions
0.60
0.40
Lighting
Varies
Recessed fluorescent luminaire with
0.40 to 0.50
0.61 to 0.73
lens
Infiltration
0.00
1.00
Conduction heat gain
Through walls and floors
0.46
0.54
Through roof
0.60
0.40
0.33 (SHGC > 0.5)
0.67 (SHGC > 0.5)
Through windows
0.46 (SHGC < 0.5)
0.54 (SHGC < 0.5)
Solar heat gain through fenestration
Without interior shading
1.00
0.00
With interior shading
varies
* Notes
1. For solar radiation through fenestration with interior shading tables 13A to 13G in Chapter
15 in ASHRAE 2009 can be reviewed.
2. For lighting table 3 and for different equipment, tables 6 to 12 in Chapter 18 in ASHRAE
2009 can be reviewed.
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
018
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
Table 5a. Heat gain of roof of tested space in W/m2 with corresponding outdoor temperature on
July 21.
Hours
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 11
34.41 34.06 33.9 33.66 33.41 34.61 36.18 38 39.95 41.9 43.93 46.29
T (oC)
out
Heat gain
(W/m2)
Hours
Tout (oC)
Heat gain
(W/m2)
10.68 10.67
12
13
47.49 48.24
9.71
9.7
10.64 10.58 10.5 10.41 10.31 10.19 10.07 9.95 9.84 9.76
14
49
9.73
15
16 17 18 19
20
48.24 47.49 46.29 44.73 42.9 40.95
9.8
21 22 23
39 37.18 35.61
Table 5b. Heat gain of thermo-stone wall in W/m2 with corresponding outdoor temperature on
July 21.
T.out
NE
T.out
NE
Hours
NW
Hours
NW
o
o
C
(shaded)
C
(shaded)
0
34.41
12.60
14.38
12
47.49
9.87
10.75
1
34.06
12.66
14.47
13
48.24
9.79
10.59
2
33.90
12.61
14.42
14
49.00
9.82
10.53
3
33.66
12.48
14.24
15
48.24
9.94
10.58
4
33.41
12.26
13.96
16
47.49
10.14
10.75
5
34.61
11.99
13.59
17
46.29
10.43
11.04
6
36.18
11.66
13.16
18
44.73
10.76
11.45
7
38.00
11.31
12.70
19
42.90
11.14
11.97
8
39.95
10.94
12.23
20
40.95
11.52
12.57
9
41.90
10.59
11.77
21
39.00
11.89
13.17
10
43.93
10.28
11.36
22
37.18
12.21
13.71
11
46.29
10.04
11.01
23
35.61
12.45
14.12
Table 6. Glass specifications of tested space , ASHRAE, 2009.
Clear glass 6mm thickness double pane with 0.5" air space, aluminum frame with thermal break
Total Window SHGC at Normal Total Window v at Normal
Uf W/m2K
Center glazing v
incidence
Incidence
Fixed
Operable
Fixed
Operable
Fixed
Operable
0.78
3.18
3.31
0.64
0.64
0.7
0.69
Center-of-Glazing Properties
Incident angle
Properties
0.0 (normal)
40
50
60
70
80
Hemis., diffuse
SHGC
Rf
Rb
f1
f2
0.70
0.61
0.11
0.11
0.17
0.11
0.67
0.58
0.12
0.12
0.18
0.12
0.64
0.55
0.15
0.15
0.19
0.12
000
0.58
0.48
0.20
0.20
0.20
0.12
0.45
0.36
0.33
0.33
0.21
0.10
0.23
0.17
0.57
0.57
0.20
0.07
0.60
0.51
0.18
0.18
0.19
0.11
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
Table 7. Non-solar RTS values for the tested space (Table 19 in chapter 18 of ASHRAE
Handbook of , Fundamentals, 2009 for heavy weight construction, no carpet, and glass to wall
percentage is 10%).
Hours 0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
RTS% 22
10
6
5
5
4
4
4
4
3
3
3
Hours 12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
RTS% 3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
10
40
30
80
9.8
Concrete
Roof
50
Sol-air Temp. oC
sol-air Temp.
9.6
70
9.4
60
9.2
50
40
8.8
8.6
30
Sol-air Temp. oC
Thermostone wall
(Ndirection)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
001
Number 5
Journal of Engineering
NE wall(shaded (CL)
NW wall (CL)
Roof (CL)
NE wall(shaded)(HG)
NW wall(HG)
Roof(HG)
fenst.(CL)
fenst.(HG)
due T.D(CL)
due T.D.(HG)
1250
1050
Heat (W)
850
650
450
250
50
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Time (hours)
date 8/7/2011
Figure 5. Theoretical components of cooling load and heat gain of tested space.
002
TroomAve
2100
55
1900
50
45
1500
Load (W)
Tsupply
Journal of Engineering
1700
tot.calculat
.
Qmeasured
Tout
1300
40
1100
35
Daily average
Ti=22.7 deg. C
900
700
25
500
LCav=1690.3W
LMav=1864.4W
30
Number 5
20
300
100
15
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
003