HumanComfort Library

The XRGLibrary for simulation of thermal comfort.

XRG HumanComfort Library

HumanComfort models the dynamic, thermal behaviour of buildings, vehicles, ship and aircraft cabins. Additionally, the thermal comfort of persons and passengers can be determined. The product contains the modular description of all physical heat transfer processes (ready-to-use).

Hot building

Energy systems are optimized in accordance with economic criteria. From the view of a user of an air conditioning/heating system the thermal comfort is very often of more importance. How the thermal comfort changes with personal and thermal factors was examined in several studies and put into classification numbers. Standardized calculation methods of these numbers were developed and allow a detailed analysis of the human comfort.

The HumanComfort Modelica library contains models which allow a mathematical evaluation of the thermal comfort. Its modular structure and the standardized interfaces make a flexible implementation in other Modelica libraries possible. Every HumanComfort module can be exchanged. Thus, the user can combine his own building model with the HumanComfort Library and use e.g. the HumanComfort weather and comfort model. Additionally, individual room or cabin models can be built with the components from the HumanComfort Library. See in a video tutorial how to create a thermal building model in less than one hour.

Simultaneous dynamic simulation of conditioned zones and air conditioning

Analysis of interactions of air conditioning and dynamic zones effects

The models of the HumanComfort Library can be used to optimize the development of air conditioning systems of vehicles and buildings.

The HumanComfort Library allows the simultaneous dynamic simulation of conditioned zones and air conditioning contrary to the previous state of the art (see info box below). The analysis of interactions of air conditioning and dynamic zones effects is possible.

Analysis how the failure of the air conditioning affects the human comfort can be made by simultaneously simulating the building and the air conditioning. Moreover, the performance decrease due to environmental changes and its effects on the comfort can be estimated with the HumanComfort Library.

Thus, the HumanComfort Library supports the optimal control of an air conditioning system (e.g. heat pumps, solar supported air conditioning, etc.).

HumanComfort Package

Calculation of internal zone conditions and development of control strategies for all comfort requirements

The HumanComfort Package contains the calculation methods and classification numbers to determine the comfort of a room, building or vehicle. The most usual calculation standards were combined to a complete analysis of the thermal comfort.The following standards and rules are considered:

  • DIN EN ISO 7730
  • ASHRAE Standard 55
  • Dutch Thermal Comfort Guideline

The HumanComfort Modelica Library allows comprehensive comfort analysis by integration of the HumanComfort module. Additionally, the calculated classification numbers can already be used during the simulation to optimize the control. With that it becomes possible to develop control strategies which meet the comfort requirements.

Weather Package

Modelling of Climate Conditions

The integrated weather model is able to read arbitrary weather data and commit it to the zone model. Moreover, the model can convert the intensity of radiation to the effective area according to its spatial orientation. All necessary weather information are bundled and sent to the zone model via a standardized weather connector.

The weather connector contains the following data:

  • Ambient Temperature
  • Ground temperature
  • Global irradiation on a horizontal surface
  • Direct irradiation on a horizontal surface
  • Diffusive radiation on a horizontal surface
  • Ambient pressure
  • Ambient humidity
  • Sun position

Zones Package

Modelling mobile or stationary climate zones under different boundary conditions

 

The Zone Package contains models to develop mobile or stationary applications. Mobile applications will be built with models e.g. for aircraft or vehicle cabins. All models can individually be built and fitted. The Modelica Code is open and not encrypted.

To use the Zone package for stationary applications a building simulation is provided within the HumanComfort Modelica Library. Every zone can be combined with a weather and a HumanComfort module (see figure).

Building Zone

 

Multi room models are built of single room models which are connect with Modelica Fluid or thermal connectors (see figure).

Multi zone model

The zone models account for the following physical phenomena:

  • Solar irradiation
  • Heat transfer through walls and windows
  • Heat conduction
  • Heat transfer caused by air exchange
  • Thermal activation of wall layers

All zone models can be parameterized with different material properties and the user behaviour can be simulated (heat, humidity and CO2 sources).

The air zones can be simulated with moist or dry air and in addition CO2 can be regarded.

The zone models are supplemented by detailed examples of buildings, vehicles and aircrafts.

Available for:

  • 3DS Dymola
  • OpenModelica (without CFD package and applications)
  • Modelon Impact (without CFD package and applications)

 

HumanComfort Library® is a registered trademark of XRG Simulation GmbH.