Solid Heat Sources

[derzu]

Hi,
I have a quick question: I am calculating Potential for Natural Ventilation with MicroFlo. I am using thermal templates in Apache (office spaces, i.e., already include heat gains related to computers and people). In such case, should I also add Components (Solid Heat Sources) in MicroFlo?
If I should only add this information once, is it better to do it via Thermal Templates in Apache or via Component in MicroFlo?
Thanks

[harshadj]

When you import the boundary conditions, the internal gains are also imported into MicroFlo. MicroFlo then gives you the option to assign these gains to any specific locations like patch on the walls, components, patches on component or as field in for form of non-solid components. If you do not specify the locations, the entire amount of internal gains is applied as a diffuse heat source throughout the domain of simulation. So in fact it is necessary to do it both ways - specify them in the internal gains in thermal template so as to be recognised by the ApacheSim and then as boundary/field conditions in MicroFlo.

Just ensure that you don't over-specify. e.g. if the imported convective gains amount to 1000W do no specify 2000W of heat gains in MicroFlo. The results will not reflect the conditions being simulated.

Cheers.