Towards a Simplified Numerical Methodology for Estimating the Efficiency of an Air Handling Unit

Mercè Garcia-Vilchez (), Paula Torres, Gustavo Raush, Robert Castilla (), Miquel Torrent and Mónica Morte
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Mercè Garcia-Vilchez: Centre for Advanced Technologies in Mechanics, Escola Superior d’Enginyeries Industrial, Aeroespacial i Audiovisual de Terrassa, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Paula Torres: Escola Superior d’Enginyeries Industrial, Aeroespacial i Audiovisual de Terrassa, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Gustavo Raush: Centre for Advanced Technologies in Mechanics, Escola Superior d’Enginyeries Industrial, Aeroespacial i Audiovisual de Terrassa, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Robert Castilla: Centre for Advanced Technologies in Mechanics, Escola Superior d’Enginyeries Industrial, Aeroespacial i Audiovisual de Terrassa, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Miquel Torrent: Department of Fluid Mechanics, Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, 08222 Terrassa, Spain
Mónica Morte: Servoclima, S.A., 08120 La Llagosta, Spain

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 10, 1-16

Abstract: This work presents a study on the calculation of transmittance in an air handling unit (AHU) through three methods. A semi-empirical estimation based on simplified models of heat and mass transfer has been used. In addition, experimental tests were carried out in a real AHU under controlled conditions. The measured temperature inside and outside the AHU were used to calculate the transmittance. Finally, numerical simulations were performed on specific sections of the AHU and on a global model, with and without radiation. The simulations provided detailed results on the flow behavior and temperature distribution. The results were compared and analyzed to assess the accuracy and applicability of the three methods. The heat transfer obtained with the semi-empirical method is 38% larger than that obtained with the experimental measurement, in contrast with the 8% of difference observed with numerical simulations. It is revealed that radiation, and thus the emissivity of surfaces, plays an important role in heat transfer of the AHU. This research contributes to the knowledge and understanding of transmittance in AHUs, providing valuable information for the design and optimization of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Keywords: emissivity; thermal bridging; OpenFOAM; AHU; HVAC; transmittance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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