Steven Van Dessel

Development of a Computational Model for a Prototype Testing Room With Integrated ABE System

Active Building Envelope (ABE) systems are a new enclosure technology which integrate photovoltaic (PV) and thermoelectric (TE) technologies. In ABE systems, a PV system is used to transfer solar energy directly into electrical energy, which is used to power a TE heat-pump system for space cooling or heating. In this study, we have built a computational model to predict the indoor temperature of an outdoor testing room and its integrated ABE system. The computational model uses the finite differential method, and includes the computation of solar radiation, heat transfer through the testing room surfaces and the ABE-window, and a model for the indoor air. We have verified the model’s accuracy by comparing the simulation results of this model with actual temperature data. We have found that there was good correlation between the model’s prediction for indoor temperature, and the actual temperature measurements for our testing room. The model will be used in further studies to assess the effectiveness of the ABE system.© 2006 ASME

Optimization Based Design of Thermoelectric Heat Pump Unit of Active Building Envelope Systems

Active Building Envelope (ABE) systems represent a new thermal control technology that actively uses solar energy to compensate for passive heat losses or gains in building envelopes or other enclosures. This paper introduces the first steps in exposing the community to this new technology, and explores an optimization based design strategy for its feasible application. The overall system is discussed, while this paper also gives particular focus to the design of a key constituent component. Namely, the collection of thermoelectric heat pumps; or, the TE unit. The latter becomes an integral part of the generic enclosure, and is a collection of thermoelectric coolers, or heaters. As a critical component of the optimization based design strategy, select computationally inexpensive approximate analytical models of generic TE coolers/heaters (TE Cooler) are developed. The optimization technique is implemented to evaluate different design configurations of the TE unit. The preliminary results indicate that the total input power required to operate the TE unit decreases as the distribution density of the TE coolers increases. In addition, the thermal resistance of the heat sink (attached to the TE cooler) plays a key role in determining the number of TE coolers required. These preliminary findings may have practical implications regarding the implementation of the ABE system.Copyright