Creating Airflow Network for a House

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Hello Matthew,

Thank You for the answer. I was using OpenStudio to Make IDF and then use this IDF in EnergyPlus for my simulation. I gave the OpenStudio Image to explain how my system looks. I Will update my Question with the IDF File. Although my Airflow network is Incomplete, I have tried to complete the IDF based on a GitHub Code of Airflow Network of a House. I will also post that link in my Question. I would appreciate it if you could consider my question once again with this added information.

Thank You for your time.

Sincerely,

Nadish

@nadish21 unfortunately I don't have experience with the AFN yet ( @Jason DeGraw may be able to help). It sounds like you've got a good workflow using OpenStudio GUI to generate the IDF, but here's some further suggestions:

1. Create and debug as much of the model as possible in the OS GUI
2. Write an OpenStudio Measure to add the ZoneMixing objects and debug the results
3. Move to EnergyPlus to add the AFN and final simulations

Hello nadisch21, I'm using E+ airflow networks for my PhD. I don't have time today, but I will look at your idf in the weekend. Do you want the zones to be linked to eachother or only to the controlling zone? (maybe add a plan of the building) Kind regards.

Hello BBel,

Thank you so much for taking time out and responding to my Queries. I am updating my Original Question with the Problem Definition, which will give the Salient Features of my simulation. This I feel will give a broader perspective towards the Problem that I am facing regarding the Air Flow Network.

Sincerely,

Nadish

Hello BBel,

Thank you once again for your time. Yes I want all the Internal Doors to be open since this will somewhat ease up the zone Cross mixing. I am not sure how to model cracks. I am also not sure about where to keep the thermostat and what to do with the Pipes and Plenum's. I would be very grateful if you can shed some light on this as well. What is the topic of your PhD Research? (if you do not mind telling).

Again Thank you for all your help.

Sincerely,

Nadish

Hi Nadish, I don't mind telling. I'm working on the optimization of a generic hybrid ventilation system (balancing user comfort, IAQ and energy-efficiency). I think you are looking at the wrong E+ example file. If you have installed E+ take a look at the following files in the installation directory C:\EnergyPlusVx-x-x\ExampleFiles --> AirflowNetwork3zVent, AirflowNetwork_MultiZone_SmallOffice and AirflowNetwork_MultiZone_House. They will help you understand the setup of the airflownetwork and the ductwork.

Q: Also I am not pretty sure about the "AirTerminal:SingleDuct:Uncontrolled" objects --> A: Supplies central system air directly to a zone and only contains the zone inlet node without ducts. (=both the zone inlet node and the outlet node of the AirLoopHVAC:ZoneSplitter.)

@BBel Were you ever able to model the return path as a simple opening? E+ Does not seem to like having a AFN:Multizone:Component selected where it should be a AFN:Distribution:Component. Have you had any success defining a supply terminal without the return pathway?

I currently have a house model with a detailed AFN. Each return from the zone is modeled as crack flow into the next space, however I am getting a matrix singularity error. Ideally I would not define a return object, as this does not exist in reality, the actual system has one point of return in a hallway.

Hello spqr, sorry for the late answer. I was on holidays. Could you rephrase your question? I think you are mixing up the setup of an HVACairloop and an AFN. If you want air from a zone to return to a AHU I would use zone mixing objects and dummy fans instead of an AFN approach.