Designing an automated tool for natural ventilation

Abstract

This paper aims to increase the number of natural ventilation systems utilised by building service engineers, which in turn will help to lower the environmental impact of their work. To do this an automated spreadsheet will be produced to help simplify the workload involved. This spreadsheet will initially utilise Etheridge’s steady state envelope flow, a previously validated and widely accepted model for calculating air flow through a room. Currently a workbook has been produced in Excel that uses this model to calculate flow through a room that contains either a point heater or a vertically distributed heater. As well as this, the model can calculate the upper bands of temperature in the room while a steady state has been found between the heat loss and gain. It was concluded that in its current state the spreadsheet created does not allow the aim of the project to be reached. However, it does offer a good first step in the creation of a more robust spreadsheet that will allow the project aim to be met. It is also important to note that a list of recommendations for future iterations of the spreadsheet is given at the end of the paper, which if followed will allow this more robust spreadsheet to be created.