[TRNSYS-users] thermal screen modeling in TRNSYS

[Ismael Rodriguez Cal <ismarc7@hotmail.com>]

Dear TRNSYS users,

I am trying to model a thermal screen inside a greenhouse using TRNSYS.

As far as I know, there is no specific type that accounts for the effects of this kind o device.

I found this old post:

http://lists.onebuilding.org/pipermail/trnsys-users-onebuilding.org/2010-August/020066.html

I think I understand the general idea, but there are several things that are still unclear to me:

1. The thermal screen has to be included in the 3D Model (SketchUp for example, TRNSYS 3D). But is it enough to draw a simple surface? Or do I need to draw a micro-perforated surface?
2. Should I consider the window (that represents the thermal screen) like a Virtual Surface or Adjacent Window?
3. Where can I define the internal shading factor of the window (thermal screen)?
4. How to deal with the airflow between zones that thermal screen divide? Based on the equations suggested in the thesis of the link, I will be able to compute the air exchange between zones, but, how should this will be added to the model? A ventilation source (mass flow rate) applied to the surface of the window?

If anyone want to discuss or has a clear reference about how to model a thermal screen in TRNSYS, please let me know.

Best regards,

T