Clarification on Outdoor, Mixed, Supply, Exhaust Flow Rates and Temperatures in EnergyPlus Ideal Loads Air System

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For my own understanding, I've recently been trying to understand how air is conditioned in an ideal load air system in EnergyPlus. Specifically, I’d like to understand how and in what order the system determines it's mass flow rates and related temperatures. I've been reading through engineering reference on the subject but am a little confused about a couple of points and wanted to get some clarification.

I've tried to write out the sequence of events here (with attached diagram), for a hypothetical scenario where heating/cooling is required. For simplicity's sake I've ignored dehumidification or humidification. I would appreciate confirmation if this overall sequenced I've written out is correct. I also have some specific questions for specific steps that I've bolded below regarding the ambiguous use of the term ‘supply air’ in the Engineering Reference.

Reference diagram for sequence outlined below:

1. The ideal air loads system checks to see if the outdoor air flow rate (m_oa in diagram), specified by the ventilation rate, will require the system to be in heating, cooling or economizer mode, based on the zone setpoint conditions and sensible load brought in by the outdoor air. The temperature of this air stream is the outdoor drybulb.

2. If heating/cooling is required, the air mass flow rate for supply air (m_s1) is calculated, based on an assumed supply temperature (T_s1). The ASSUMED supply temperature is the maximum heating or minimum cooling temperature (based on equation 2).

Question 1: In the Engineering reference there are two references to a “supply air stream” with this being the first one. I’m not clear where this first supply rate is in the sequence of events, and where the mass flow rate is calculated. Is it correct to assume this mass air flow rate is applied to the air being recirculated from the exhaust airstream, before being mixed? And if so, is the actual temperature of this “supply” air the temperature of the exhaust air stream?

1. The outdoor air stream (m_oa), and the calculated supply air stream (m_s1) are mixed (m_mix = m_oa + m_s1). Heat recovery is applied if selected. I believe that the temperature/enthalpy of the mixed air stream is approximately the average of both, weighted by the mass air flows (equation 3).

2. The supply temperature for the zone is now calculated based on the resulting mixed air stream flow rate, the current zone temperature, and the sensible load required for the zone to meet it's setpoint (based on equation 4).

Question 2: Is the supply temperature here achieved via the coil in the ideal VAV terminal?

1. The supply air stream is now introduced to the zone, mixed with the room air accumulating or losing heat in accordance with specific zone loads. Then it leaves via the Zone Exhaust node and is exhausted or recirculated back to step 1.

Thanks,

S

==== REVISED BASED ON COMMENTS BELOW ====

MJWitte, I think I understand your clarification. My error is in confusing the ... (more)