Simulation of HVAC systems: development and validation of simulation models and examples of practical applications

A survey of some “reference” and “simplified” HVAC component models is presented in this paper.
The concepts of model “tuning”, “validation” and “evaluation” are briefly discussed.
The parameters of the models are tuned on the basis of manufacturer catalogues and/or experimental data.
Mostly “simplified” or “daughter” models are used in global simulation.
They are generated from “reference” or “mother” models.
The “mother” models are validated in different ways:
- Analytically
- By comparison with other models
- By comparison with experimental data.
Both procedures (validation and tuning) are presented in this paper; some typical “traps” are also identified.
Examples of validation and of simulation results are also presented.
Commissioning and energy audit are the two application domains considered here.