Thermal modeling of the cooling ceiling systems as commissioning tool

This paper presents the results of a study performed to develop a computational model of cooling ceiling systems. This one has to be used in situ, as diagnosis tool in commissioning process in order to determine the main operating conditions of the system in cooling mode. The model considers the cooling ceiling as a fin. Only the dry regime is considered. From ceiling and room dimensions, material description of the cooling ceiling and measurement of supply water mass flow rate and air and water temperatures, the model calculates the cooling ceiling capacity, ceiling surface average temperature and water exhaust temperature. Fin efficiency, mixed convection close to the cooling ceiling (generated by the ventilation system) and panel perforations influence are studied. A series of experimental results (Laboratory test conditions) got on four types of cooling ceilings are used in order to validate the model.