A cellular automaton based model simulating HVAC fluid and heat transport in a building. Modeling approach and comparison with experimental results

A discrete model characterizing heat and fluid flow in connection with thermal fluxes in a building is described and tested against experiment in this contribution. The model, based on a cellular automaton approach, relies on a set of a few quite simple rules and parameters in order to simulate the dynamic evolution of temperatures and energy flows in any water or brine based thermal energy distribution network in a building or system. Using an easy-to-record input, such as the instantaneous electrical power demand of the heating or cooling system, our model predicts time varying temperatures in characteristic spots and the related enthalpy flows whose simulation usually requires heavy computational tools and detailed knowledge of the network elements. As a particular example, we have applied our model to simulate an existing fan coil based hydronic heating system driven by a geothermal heat pump. When compared to the experimental temperature and thermal energy records, the outcome of the model coincides.