Coupling CFD-BES Simulation of a glazed office with different types of windows in Mexico City

Publication date: October 2013
Source:Building and Environment, Volume 68
Author(s): M. Gijón-Rivera , J. Xamán , G. Álvarez , J. Serrano-Arellano
A theoretical study of a room on top of a building with three different glazed configurations in Mexico City is presented. The research aims to show the advantages of using coupling models (CFD-BES) instead stand-alone solutions. The CFD model was simulated as a 2D cavity considering conjugate heat transfer and solving the governing equations by the finite volume method. The BES model was carried out to assess the thermal performance of the room. Heat transfer coefficients obtained from CFD were supplied to the BES model to perform more accurate energy requirements in the room. Results show that the reflective window configuration had the less necessity for using a coupled model and the glass-film window configuration presented the higher necessity for using a coupled model. Cooling energy loads in summer showed higher energy requirements of about 250 times more than for heating but during the winter, cooling loads were only 25 times more than heating loads. The reflective glass was the best configuration to achieve lower energy requirements inside room. It can be concluded that thermal loads are higher in favour of the coupled solution in all cases. As a practical implication, a set of heat transfer coefficients correlations are presented for future implementations in buildings simulation programs.