BLAST

User's Manual

the building loads analysis and system thermodynamics program

Table of Contents

BLAST User's Manual Table of Contents •• i

Contents

Foreword 1

Installing the BLAST Program .............................................................................................1BLAST Overview .................................................................................................................1Historical Background ..........................................................................................................2License Agreement ...............................................................................................................3Building Systems Laboratory Services ..................................................................................4

Maintenance and Distribution .................................................................................4Hours ......................................................................................................................4How to Contact the BSL..........................................................................................4Training..................................................................................................................5Special Services ......................................................................................................5

Getting Started 6

Overview of the BLAST Family of Programs ........................................................................6The BLAST Program..............................................................................................6THE HEAT BALANCE LOADS CALCULATOR (HBLC).....................................6Figure 1. Plan View ................................................................................................8Figure 2. Elevation View of Wall ............................................................................9Figure 3. Editing Schedules ..................................................................................10Figure 4. Entering Fan Systems.............................................................................11Figure 5. Entering Central Plants ..........................................................................11Figure 6. Output Viewer........................................................................................12BTEXT, The Textual Preprocessor to BLAST.......................................................12Comparison of HBLC and BTEXT........................................................................12Table 1. Features of BTEXT and HBLC...............................................................13WIFE Program......................................................................................................13CHILLER Program ...............................................................................................14REPORT WRITER Program.................................................................................14WinLCCID Program.............................................................................................14Other Programs Supported by the Building Systems Laboratory ............................15Other information .................................................................................................15

Description of the BLAST Program ....................................................................................15Figure 7. BLAST Program Structure .....................................................................16BLAST Building Simulation.................................................................................17BLAST Fan System Simulation.............................................................................18BLAST Central Plant Simulation..........................................................................19

BLAST Program Output .....................................................................................................20Standard BLAST Output Reports ..........................................................................20The BLAST Report Writer ....................................................................................21

Inputs to the BLAST Program ............................................................................................21The BLAST Library File .......................................................................................21Weather Files........................................................................................................22The BLAST Input File ..........................................................................................22BLAST Input Language ........................................................................................22Heat Balance Loads Calculator (HBLC) Program..................................................22Input File Format ..................................................................................................23Figure 8. LEAD Input ...........................................................................................23Figure 9. BUILDING DESCRIPTION...................................................................24

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Figure 10. FAN SYSTEM DESCRIPTION. ..........................................................24Figure 11. CENTRAL PLANT DESCRIPTION. ...................................................24

Tutorial 25

Using BLAST: A Short Tutorial .........................................................................................25Recommended Uses for BLAST ............................................................................25Using the BLAST System .....................................................................................26

A Methodology for Using BLAST.......................................................................................26Step 1: Plan Ahead................................................................................................26Step 2: "Zone" the Building ..................................................................................27Figure 12. Fort Monmouth Education Center ........................................................28Table 2. Zoning the Building by System Type ......................................................28Figure 13. Plan View of Building Zones...............................................................29Figure 14. Zoning the Education Center for a General BLAST Simulation...........29Figure 15. Single Zone Model of the Ft. Monmouth Education Center. ................30Step 3: Prepare to Construct the Building Model...................................................31Figure 16. Building Description Portion of BLAST Input File..............................32Figure 17. Simplifications Using Equivalent Surfaces ..........................................35Table 3. Temporary Building Elements ................................................................36Figure 18. Schematic of One Zone Model with Surface Information......................38Table 4. Compilation of Surface Information for the One Zone Model...................39Step 4: Compile Scheduled Loads Data .................................................................39Table 5. Scheduled Loads Data **NWs2=Setback with Dual Throttling Ranges...40Step 5: Run HBLC: Input Building Model.............................................................40Step 6: Run HBLC: Add Fan Systems ...................................................................40Step 7: Add Central Plant Syntax Using HBLC.....................................................40Step 8: Perform Annual Simulation.......................................................................41

Comparison of Simple and Complex BLAST Models..........................................................41Figure 19. Complex seven zone model ..................................................................41Table 6. Comparison of 1 Zone and 7 Zone Results ...............................................42Figure 20. Comparison of 1 zone and 7 zone models for Ft. Monmouth for Cooling42Figure 21. Comparison of 1 zone and 7 zone models for Ft. Monmouth for Heating43Table 7. Compilation of Surface Information for Zones One and Two ...................44Table 8. Compilation of Surface Information for Zones Three and Four ................44Table 9. Compilation of Surface Information for Zones Five and Six.....................45Table 10. Compilation of Surface information for zone seven................................45Table 11. Scheduled loads data for the seven zones ...............................................46

HBLC Workshop: One-Zone Model: Loads Calculation......................................................47Introduction ..........................................................................................................47Starting HBLC/Project Information.......................................................................47Entering Basic Geometry ......................................................................................47Figure 22. Diagram and Description of one zone model .......................................48Figure 23. One zone model entered into HBLC ....................................................49Saving Your File...................................................................................................49Entering Temporary Building Elements ................................................................49Table 12. Temporary Building Elements ..............................................................50Figure 24. Building Element Editor .....................................................................51Subsurfaces and Building Constructs.....................................................................51Table 13. Compilation of Surface Information for the One Zone Model.................52Figure 25. Zone Roof/Floor/Internal Mass Screen .................................................53Scheduled Loads ...................................................................................................53Table 14. Scheduled Loads Data **NWS2=Setback With Dual Throttling Ranges53Figure 26. Scheduled Loads Screen .......................................................................54

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Controls ................................................................................................................54Figure 27. Controls Screen....................................................................................55Finishing the Data and Running BLAST...............................................................55

Quick Reference 57

Introduction........................................................................................................................57Lead Input Syntax...............................................................................................................57

Figure 28. Lead Input Syntax ...............................................................................58Run Control ..........................................................................................................58Temporary Location*............................................................................................61Temporary Design Days*......................................................................................61Temporary Materials*...........................................................................................61Temporary Surfaces* ............................................................................................62Temporary Schedules* ..........................................................................................62Temporary Controls* ............................................................................................62Project...................................................................................................................62Location................................................................................................................62Design Days..........................................................................................................62Weather Tape........................................................................................................63Report File ............................................................................................................63Ground Temperatures ...........................................................................................63Make Up Water Temperatures...............................................................................63

Building Description Syntax ...............................................................................................63Building................................................................................................................65Dimensions...........................................................................................................65North Axis* ..........................................................................................................65Solar Distribution*................................................................................................65Detached Shading* ...............................................................................................66ASHRAE Heating Outdoor Temperature...............................................................66ASHRAE Heating Indoor Temperature .................................................................66ASHRAE Heating Infiltration ...............................................................................67ASHRAE Heating Ground Temperature................................................................67Zone .....................................................................................................................67

Fan System Syntax .............................................................................................................83Fan System List ....................................................................................................84For Zone ...............................................................................................................85End Zone ..............................................................................................................86Other System Parameters ......................................................................................86End Other System Parameters ...............................................................................96Cooling Coil Design Parameters*..........................................................................96End Cooling Coil Design Parameters ....................................................................98Heat Recovery Parameters* ...................................................................................98End Heat Recovery Parameters..............................................................................99DX Condensing Unit Parameters*.........................................................................99End DX Condensing Unit Parameters .................................................................100Heat Pump Cooling Parameters...........................................................................101End Heat Pump Cooling Parameters....................................................................102Heat Pump Heating Parameters ...........................................................................102End Heat Pump Heating Parameters....................................................................103Water Source Heat Pump Parameters ..................................................................103End Water Source Heat Pump Parameters ...........................................................104Equipment Schedules* ........................................................................................104End Equipment Schedules...................................................................................105

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Central Plant Syntax.........................................................................................................105Plant ...................................................................................................................106Equipment Selection ...........................................................................................106End Equipment Selection....................................................................................107Equipment Assignment* .....................................................................................107End Equipment Assignment................................................................................107Part Load Ratios..................................................................................................107End Part Load Ratios ..........................................................................................108Schedule .............................................................................................................108End Schedule ......................................................................................................108Special Parameters ..............................................................................................108End Special Parameters.......................................................................................108Equipment Performance Parameters....................................................................108End Equipment Performance Parameters ............................................................108For System..........................................................................................................108End for System....................................................................................................109Other Plant Parameters .......................................................................................109End Other Plant Parameters ................................................................................109

User Reference 111

User Reference Introduction..............................................................................................111Building Environment ......................................................................................................112

Creating and Editing Building Environments with HBLC...................................112Figure 29. Scheduled Loads form.......................................................................113

Fan Systems......................................................................................................................114Creating and Editing Fan Systems with HBLC....................................................114Figure 30. Fan Systems form..............................................................................115

Central Plants ...................................................................................................................116Creating and Editing Central Plants with HBLC .................................................116Figure 31. Plants form........................................................................................116

Air Cooled Chiller ............................................................................................................117Figure 32. Diagram of a BLAST air cooled chiller .............................................117USING THE BLAST AIR COOLED CHILLER:.................................................118PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................118SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................119

Air to Air Heat Pump........................................................................................................122Figure 33. Diagram of a BLAST air to air heat pump.........................................122USING THE HEAT PUMP UNIT: ......................................................................122PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................122

Boiler**............................................................................................................................132USING THE BLAST BOILER:...........................................................................132PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................132SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................133

Chiller (Hermetic Centrifugal Compression).....................................................................136Figure 34. Diagram of a BLAST chiller .............................................................136USING THE BLAST CHILLER:.........................................................................137PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................137SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................138

Cold and Hot Deck Control...............................................................................................140Cold Deck Control ..............................................................................................140Figure 35. Cold Deck Set-Point Temp vs Outside Temp.....................................141Figure 36. Cold Deck Setpoint in Zone Controlled use .......................................142Figure 37. Cold Deck Throttling Range Example...............................................143

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Deck Temperatures .............................................................................................143Hot Deck Controls...............................................................................................143Figure 38. Water Temp vs Outside Air Temp.....................................................145

Controlled Radiant Heater ................................................................................................146High Temperature Radiant Heaters in BLAST ....................................................146Specifying and Controlling Radiant Heaters in BLAST.......................................146Specifying Temperature Controlled Radiant Heaters in HBLC ............................146Figure 39. Controls form with a High Temperature Radiant Heater ....................147Example of a Temperature Controlled Radiant Heater.........................................147

Controls**........................................................................................................................148The Control Profile's Relationship to the Fan System ..........................................148Selecting Control Profiles for Zones ....................................................................149Specifying Controls in HBLC..............................................................................149Figure 40. Controls Form in HBLC....................................................................150Example Based on the Temporary Control Profile ...............................................150Figure 41. Control Profile ..................................................................................151Observations and Comments ...............................................................................151Figure 42. Control Profile ..................................................................................152

Cooling Tower**..............................................................................................................153USING THE BLAST COOLING TOWER:.........................................................153Figure 43. Cooling Tower Screen in HBLC........................................................153PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................154SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................154

Cross Mixing....................................................................................................................157Specifying Cross Mixing in HBLC......................................................................157Figure 44. Scheduled Loads Screen in HBLC.....................................................157Comparison of Mixing and Cross Mixing ...........................................................158Figure 45. Cross Mixing Effects.........................................................................158

Default Operating Rules (Plant Equipment) ......................................................................159Default Equipment Operating Rules....................................................................159Waste Heat Utilization ........................................................................................159Table 15. Energy Levels and Corresponding Demand ........................................160Table 16. Energy Level and Corresponding Supply .............................................160

Design Plants....................................................................................................................162Using Design Plants............................................................................................162Design Plants Algorithm.....................................................................................162Design Plant Notes..............................................................................................163

Design Systems.................................................................................................................164Using Design Systems.........................................................................................164Design Systems Algorithm..................................................................................164Other Design System Features.............................................................................165Design System Notes...........................................................................................165

Detached Shading.............................................................................................................166Specifying Detached Shading in HBLC...............................................................167

Detailed Geometry** ........................................................................................................168Detailed Geometry in BTEXT.............................................................................168Detailed Geometry in HBLC ...............................................................................169

Diesel Chiller ...................................................................................................................170Figure 46. Diagram of a BLAST diesel chiller ...................................................170USING THE BLAST DIESEL-DRIVEN CHILLER:...........................................171PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................171SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................172

Diesel Generator...............................................................................................................175USING THE BLAST DIESEL GENERATOR: ...................................................175

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PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................175SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................176

Direct Cooling Tower .......................................................................................................179Figure 47. Diagram of a DirectCooling Tower ...................................................179USING THE BLAST COOLING TOWER:.........................................................179PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................180SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................180

Domestic Hot Water Heater ..............................................................................................184USING BLAST DOMESTIC HOT WATER: ......................................................184Figure 48. Fuel Domestic Hot Water Heater form...............................................185Figure 49. Electric Domestic Hot Water Heater form..........................................186PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................186SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................186

Double Bundle Chiller** ..................................................................................................190Figure 50. Diagram of Double Bundle Chiller ....................................................190USING THE BLAST DOUBLE BUNDLE CHILLER: ........................................190PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................191SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................192

Dual Duct System.............................................................................................................195Figure 51. Dual Duct System Schematici.............................................................195USING THE BLAST DUAL DUCT SYSTEM:...................................................196Figure 52. Multizone Fan System form ..............................................................196PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................196

Dual Duct Variable Volume System..................................................................................205Figure 53. Diagram of a BLAST Dual Duct Variable Volume system.................205USING THE BLAST DUAL DUCT VAV SYSTEM:..........................................206Figure 54. Dual Duct Variable Volume Fan System form...................................206PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................206

DX Packaged Unit ............................................................................................................215Figure 55. Diagram of a BLAST DX packaged unit ...........................................215USING THE DX PACKAGE UNIT:...................................................................215PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................216

Electric Boiler ..................................................................................................................223USING THE BLAST ELECTRIC BOILER:........................................................223SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................223

Equipment Assignment.....................................................................................................227Equipment Performance Parameters .................................................................................229Equipment Schedules........................................................................................................230

General Syntax ...................................................................................................230Default Schedules ...............................................................................................231

Evaporative Condenser .....................................................................................................233Figure 56. Diagram of a BLAST evaporative condenser .....................................233USING THE BLAST EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER: ......................................234Figure 57. Evaporative Condenser form .............................................................234PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................234SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................235

Evaporative Cooler ...........................................................................................................238Figure 58. Diagram of a BLAST evaporative cooler ...........................................238Table 17. Evaporative Cooler System Availability ..............................................239USING THE BLAST EVAPORATIVE COOLER:..............................................240Figure 59. Fan Systems form showing the selection of an evaporative cooler in a DXPackaged Unit system. ........................................................................................240PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................240

Four Pipe Fan Coil System................................................................................................245

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Figure 60. Diagram of a BLAST four pipe fan coil.............................................245USING THE BLAST FOUR-PIPE FAN COIL SYSTEM:...................................246Figure 61. System Parameters form for a fan coil system....................................246PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................247

Four Pipe Induction System ..............................................................................................255Figure 62. Diagram of a BLAST four pipe induction system ..............................255USING THE BLAST FOUR PIPE INDUCTION SYSTEM:................................255PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................256

Free Cooling Chiller .........................................................................................................265Figure 63. Diagram of BLAST free cooling chiller.............................................265USING THE BLAST FREE COOLING CHILLLER: ..........................................266PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................266SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................267

Gas Turbine Chiller ..........................................................................................................270Figure 64. Diagram of a BLAST gas turbine chiller ...........................................270USING THE BLAST GAS TURBINE CHILLER:...............................................270PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................271SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................272

Gas Turbine Generator .....................................................................................................275USING THE BLAST GAS TURBINE GENERATOR:........................................275PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................275SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................276

Heat Pump Water-Source..................................................................................................279Figure 65. Diagram of a BLAST water-source heat pump ..................................279USING THE BLAST WATER-SOURCE HEAT PUMP:.....................................280PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................280SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................281

Ice Storage: Ice Harvester ................................................................................................284Figure 66. Diagram of a BLAST ice harvester....................................................284USING THE BLAST ICE HARVESTER: ...........................................................284PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................285SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................286

Ice Storage: Ice-on-Coil ...................................................................................................290Figure 67. Diagram of a BLAST ice-on-coil.......................................................290USING THE BLAST ICE-ON-COIL: .................................................................290PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................291SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................292

Ice Storage: Ice Container................................................................................................296Figure 68. Diagram of a BLAST ice container system ........................................296USING THE BLAST ICE CONTAINER SYSTEM: ...........................................296PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................297SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................299

Ice Storage: Ice Tank .......................................................................................................303Figure 69. Diagram of a BLAST ice tank system................................................303USING THE BLAST ICE TANK SYSTEM:.......................................................303PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................304SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................306

Infiltration ........................................................................................................................310Specifying Infiltration in HBLC ..........................................................................310

Internal Mass....................................................................................................................312Specifying Internal Mass in HBLC......................................................................312Figure 70. Zone Roof/Floor/Internal Mass form .................................................312Internal Mass Versus Interior Partitions ..............................................................312Table 18. Internal structure relationships with solar distribution ........................313

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Library Modifications .......................................................................................................314Lights ...............................................................................................................................316

Specifying Lights in HBLC .................................................................................316Minimum Air Fraction for VAV Systems .........................................................................317

Figure 71. One way to set the minimum air fraction in HBLC............................317Figure 72. HBLC will override the previous method of setting the minimum air fraction...........................................................................................................................317

Mixed Air Control ............................................................................................................319Figure 73. Mixing Box form, accessed from the Fan Systems form with a multizonesystem selected....................................................................................................319Economy Cycles and Throttling Ranges ..............................................................322

Mixing .............................................................................................................................323Specifying Mixing in HBLC................................................................................323Comparison of Mixing and Cross Mixing ...........................................................324

Multizone System .............................................................................................................325Figure 74. Diagram of a BLAST multizone system ............................................325USING THE BLAST MULTIZONE SYSTEM: ..................................................326PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................326

North Axis........................................................................................................................335HBLC Procedure for Specifying a Building North Axis.......................................336HBLC Procedure for Specifying a Zone North Axis.............................................336

One Stage Absorber ..........................................................................................................337Figure 75. Diagram of a BLAST one stage absorber...........................................337USING THE BLAST ONE STAGE ABSORBER:...............................................337PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................338SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................339

Open Chiller.....................................................................................................................342Figure 76. Diagram of a BLAST open chiller .....................................................342USING THE BLAST OPEN CHILLER:..............................................................343Figure 77. Specifying the Chiller in HBLC.........................................................343PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................344SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................344

Other Side Coefficients.....................................................................................................347Other System Parameters Data Block................................................................................349

Table 19. BLAST Reference Manual Entries for Other System Parameters.........349Part Load Ratios ...............................................................................................................351

Table 20. Default part load ratios .......................................................................352People...............................................................................................................................353Preheat Coil......................................................................................................................355

Figure 78. Preheat Coil form..............................................................................355Pumps (Hot Water & Chilled Water) ................................................................................356

Chilled Water Pumps ..........................................................................................356Hot Water Pumps................................................................................................356

Purchased Heating/Purchased Cooling..............................................................................357PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................357

Radiant Equipment ...........................................................................................................359Specifying and Controlling Radiant Heaters in BLAST.......................................359Specifying Scheduled Radiant Heaters in HBLC..................................................359Example of a Scheduled Radiant Heater ..............................................................359

Reciprocating Chiller........................................................................................................361Figure 78. Diagram of a BLAST reciprocating chiller ........................................362USING THE BLAST RECIPROCATING CHILLER: .........................................362PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................363SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................363

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Reheat Coil.......................................................................................................................366Figure 79. Reheat Coil form in HBLC................................................................366Fixed Set Point Control of the Reheat Coil ..........................................................366Figure 80. Reheat Control form in HBLC...........................................................367Outside Air Control of the Reheat Coil................................................................367

Reports .............................................................................................................................368Specifying Reports in HBLC ...............................................................................368Figure 81. Reports form .....................................................................................368Figure 82. Report Variables form .......................................................................369Default Reports ...................................................................................................369Optional Reports .................................................................................................370Building Loads Reports.......................................................................................370Air Handling System Reports ..............................................................................373Central PlantReports ...........................................................................................375

Same As ...........................................................................................................................378Figure 83. Simple Four Zone Building ...............................................................379

Schedule...........................................................................................................................382Specifying Electrical Demand and Waste Heat Availability in HBLC..................383Figure 84. Plant Schedules form.........................................................................383

Simple Chiller ..................................................................................................................384Figure 85. Diagram of a BLAST simple chiller ..................................................384USING THE BLAST SIMPLE CHILLER: ..........................................................385ADJUSTING THE PERFORMANCE PARAMETERS OF THE SIMPLE CHILLER:...........................................................................................................................385PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................385SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................386

Simple Fuel Boiler............................................................................................................388PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................388SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................388

Single Zone Draw Through System ..................................................................................391Figure 86. Diagram of a BLAST single zone draw through system.....................391USING THE SINGLE ZONE DRAW THROUGH SYSTEM: .............................392PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................392

Solar Distribution .............................................................................................................400Simplified Zone Geometry Description................................................................400Enhanced Zone Geometry Description ................................................................400Detailed Zone Geometry Description...................................................................400Specifying Solar Distribution in HBLC ...............................................................401

Special Parameters............................................................................................................402Steam Turbine Generator..................................................................................................404

USING THE BLAST STEAM TURBINE GENERATOR: ..................................404PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................405SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................405

Subzone Reheat System ....................................................................................................408Figure 87. Diagram of a BLAST subzone reheat system.....................................408USING THE BLAST SUBZONE REHEAT SYSTEM: .......................................409PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................409

Surface Types ...................................................................................................................418Specifying Surfaces in HBLC..............................................................................419

Temporary Controls..........................................................................................................420Figure 88. Graphical Representation of the Temporary Control Profile...............420Specifying Temporary Control Profiles in HBLC.................................................420Figure 89. Custom Controls form.......................................................................421

Temporary Design Days ...................................................................................................422

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Specifying Temporary Design Days in HBLC......................................................422Temporary Location .........................................................................................................424

Specifying Temporary Locations in HBLC ..........................................................424Temporary Materials ........................................................................................................425

Specifying Temporary Materials in HBLC ..........................................................426Temporary Schedules........................................................................................................428

Specifying Temporary Schedules in HBLC..........................................................429Figure 90. Custom Schedules form.....................................................................429Figure 91. Hourly Profiles form..........................................................................430

Temporary Surfaces..........................................................................................................431Specifying Temporary Surfaces in HBLC............................................................431Customizing Windows in BLAST .......................................................................431

Terminal Reheat System...................................................................................................434Figure 92. Diagram of a BLAST Terminal Reheat System .................................434USING THE BLAST TERMINAL REHEAT SYSTEM:.....................................435PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................435

Thermal Comfort..............................................................................................................444Specifying Thermal Comfort Models in BLAST..................................................444Specifying Thermal Comfort in HBLC................................................................444Figure 93. Thermal Comfort Parameters form....................................................445An Example of Thermal Comfort in BLAST.......................................................445Annual Thermal Comfort Report ........................................................................446Table 21 Example Annual Comfort File/Report...................................................448Table 22. Example Report produced by the Comfort Program ............................450

Thermally Stratified Tank.................................................................................................451Figure 94. Thermally stratified system ...............................................................452PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................452

Thermostatic Baseboard....................................................................................................457Using Thermostatic Baseboard............................................................................457Thermostatic Baseboard Features ........................................................................457Examples of Baseboard Heat Usage.....................................................................458

Three Deck Multizone System ..........................................................................................459Figure 95. Diagram of a BLAST Three Deck Multizone system .........................459USING THE BLAST THREE DECK MULTIZONE SYSTEM:..........................460PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................460

Tilt Angle.........................................................................................................................469Specifying Tilt Angle in HBLC...........................................................................469Figure 96. Wall Subsurfaces form ......................................................................470Figure 97. Floor/Ceiling Options form ...............................................................470Figure 98. Roof Options form.............................................................................470

Two Pipe Fan Coil System................................................................................................471Figure 99. Diagram of a BLAST Two Pipe Fan Coil system...............................471USING THE BLAST TWO-PIPE FAN COIL SYSTEM: ....................................471Figure 100. System Parameters form for a fan coil system..................................472PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................472

Two Pipe Induction System...............................................................................................480Figure 101. Diagram of a BLAST Two Pipe Induction system............................480USING THE BLAST TWO PIPE INDUCTION SYSTEM:.................................481PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................481

Two Stage Absorber..........................................................................................................491Figure 102. Diagram of a BLAST Two Stage Absorber ......................................491USING THE BLAST TWO STAGE ABSORBER:..............................................492PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................492SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................493

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Two Stage Absorber with Economizer ..............................................................................496Figure 103. Diagram of a BLAST Two Stage Absorber with Economizer...........497USING THE BLAST TWO STAGE ABSORBER WITH ECONOMIZER: .........497PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................497SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................498

Unit Heater System...........................................................................................................501Figure 104. Diagram of a BLAST Unit Heater ...................................................501USING THE BLAST UNIT HEATER SYSTEM: ...............................................501PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................502

Unit Ventilator System .....................................................................................................508Figure 105. Diagram of a BLAST Unit Ventilator..............................................508USING THE BLAST UNIT VENTILATOR SYSTEM: ......................................508PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................509

Units.................................................................................................................................517Table 23. Input Unit Conversions.......................................................................517Table 24. Output Unit Conversions ....................................................................518

Variable Volume System ..................................................................................................519Figure 106. Diagram of a BLAST VAV system..................................................519USING THE BLAST VAV SYSTEM: ................................................................520PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................520

Ventilation .......................................................................................................................529Description of Operation .....................................................................................529Figure 107. Example of Ventilation Operation ....................................................530Figure 108. Control Profile for a typical warehouse including Ventilation..........531Figure 109. Control Profile with Ventilation Interactions ...................................532Effect of Exhaust and Intake Fans .......................................................................532Specifying Ventilation.........................................................................................533

View From Person/Source.................................................................................................534Specifying Parameters to Control Radiant Exchange ...........................................534BLAST Syntax for Controlling Radiant Exchange ..............................................534Procedure for Controlling Radiant Exchange ......................................................535Example of a One Zone Building Using VIEW FROM Statements......................535

View to Sky and Ground**...............................................................................................536Solar Concepts ....................................................................................................536View to Sky and View to Ground ........................................................................536

Water Loop Heat Pump System (WLHPS) ........................................................................538Figure 110. Diagram of a BLAST WLHP System...............................................539USING THE WLHPS;.........................................................................................539PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX ..................................540

Well-Water Condenser .....................................................................................................550Figure 111. Diagram of a BLAST Well-Water Condenser..................................550USING THE BLAST WELL-WATER CONDENSER: .......................................551PARAMETER DEFINITIONS AND SAMPLE SYNTAX: .................................551SAMPLE SYNTAX WITH PARAMETER DEFAULT VALUES: ......................552

Wings and Overhangs.......................................................................................................555Specifying Wings and Overhangs in HBLC.........................................................558

Zone Data Block...............................................................................................................560

Examples 563

Introduction......................................................................................................................563Ft. Monmouth One Zone Model........................................................................................564Ft. Monmouth Seven Zone Model: Workshop 2 ...............................................................575

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Technical Reference 613

Technical Reference Introduction .....................................................................................613Absorption Chillers ..........................................................................................................613

Table 25. Data from Manufacturer's Part-Load Curve ........................................614Table 26. Inverse COP * PLR vs. PLR ...............................................................615

Accuracy Verification for BLAST Family of Software ......................................................615Table 27. Comparison of various machine accuracies..........................................616Table 28. Differences in Dental.bin on various machines ....................................616Table 29. Relative error of total chilled water consumption of fan systems served by theeight plants. ........................................................................................................617

Bermed Buildings in BLAST............................................................................................618Figure 112. Bermed Building Construction Details .............................................619

BLDFL and AHLDFL Files ..............................................................................................620What is a BLDFL or AHLDFL File? ...................................................................620How Does BLAST Create BLDFL and AHLDFL Files? ......................................620Why Reuse a BLDFL or an AHLDFL File? .........................................................621How to Reuse a BLDFL or AHLDFL File............................................................621One User's Experience with BLDFL/AHLDFL Files............................................624Conclusion..........................................................................................................625

Boiler ...............................................................................................................................626Boiler Example 1 ................................................................................................626Table 30. Data For Finding RFUELB Coefficients .............................................627Boiler Example 2 ................................................................................................627Table 31. Boiler Part-Load Performance.............................................................627Table 32. Ratio of Actual Efficiency to Theoretical Efficiency for Part Loads .....627Figure 113. Efficiency vs PLR Curves ................................................................628Summary ............................................................................................................628

Clothing Insulation...........................................................................................................629Table 33. Clo Units for Individual Items of Clothing§..........................................630

Controls............................................................................................................................631Overview of Control Variations between Fan System Types ................................631Figure 114. Capacity as a function of temperature for package DX unit..............632Figure 115. Capacity vs Temperature for a three-deck multizone system ............634General Discussion .............................................................................................634Figure 116. Control profile for systems with no deadband ..................................635Figure 117. Profile for a VAV system with reheat ..............................................635Table 34 Calculation of Control Profile Multizone, VAV and Terminal Reheat..636Multizone Controls .............................................................................................636Table 35. Q/Qmax vs. Zone Temp......................................................................640Figure 118. Graph of example control profile .....................................................640VAV Controls.....................................................................................................641Table 36. Table showing Q ratio and zone temperature ......................................647Figure 119. Flow Rate vs Zone Temperature for a VAV system..........................649Figure 120. Heat Added vs Zone Temperature by a reheat coil in a VAV system 649Figure 121. Supply Temperature vs Zone Temperature for a VAV system..........650Figure 122. Control profile for a VAV system....................................................650Terminal Reheat Controls ...................................................................................650Table 37. Q ratio and zone temp ........................................................................655Figure 123. Heat Added vs Zone Temperatures by Reheat Coil............................656Figure 124. Supply Temperatures vs Zone Temperatures for a Terminal Reheat system...........................................................................................................................657Figure 125. Control Profile for a Terminal Reheat System..................................657

Cooling Coil Design Parameters .......................................................................................657

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Table 38. Cooling Coil Design Parameters Applicability ....................................658Packaged DX Coil...............................................................................................659Water Coils in Fan Coil Units .............................................................................659Direct Expansion Coil Design Parameters ...........................................................660All Other Chilled Water Coils.............................................................................660

Cooling Tower..................................................................................................................662Daylight ...........................................................................................................................662

Figure 126. BLAST Relationship Between Lighting and Daylighting.................663Design Week ....................................................................................................................664Detailed Geometry............................................................................................................665

Building, Zone, Surface, and Subsurface Origins ................................................665Figure 127. Building and Zone Origins ..............................................................666Facing Angle ......................................................................................................666Figure 128. Peaked Roof Facing Angle and Origin.............................................667Figure 129. Flat Roof Facing and Origin............................................................667Figure 130. Floor Facing Angle and Origin........................................................668Figure 131. Alternate Flat Roof Facing Angle and Origin ..................................669Figure 132. Alternate Floor Facing Angle and Origin ........................................670Non-Rectangular Surfaces...................................................................................670

Double Bundle Chiller ......................................................................................................672Table 39. Data for Computing the RCAVDB Coefficients ..................................673Figure 133. Capacity ratio vs ∆T........................................................................674Table 40. Example Data for Computing ADJEDB Coefficients ..........................675Figure 134. Full Load ratio vs Capacity ratio......................................................675Table 41. Part-Load Power Data.........................................................................676Figure 135. FFL Power vs Load/Capacity ratio...................................................676Figure 136. Relationships between Temperature, Power, and Equipment Parameters...........................................................................................................................677

DX Condensing Unit Parameters ......................................................................................677Table 42. Condensing Unit Capacities Performance Data...................................680Table 43. Data for Calculating SCT Temperature Rise Coefficient .....................681Table 44. Data Used to Check SCT Temperature Rise Coefficient ......................682Table 45. Data for Computing RCAVCD Coefficients........................................682Table 46. Data for Determining ADJECD Coefficients (DFLPR = 0.326)...........684Figure 137. Available Capacity / Nominal Capacity vs ∆T ................................684Figure 138. FLPR/DFLPR vs Efficiency .............................................................684Table 47. Data for Determining RPWRCD Coefficients .....................................685

Evaporative Cooler ...........................................................................................................685Direct Stage ........................................................................................................685Figure 139. Direct Stage Evaporative Cooler......................................................686Figure 140. Adiabatic Cooling ...........................................................................687Indirect Stage......................................................................................................687Figure 141. Cooling at a constant humidity ratio................................................688Figure 142. Dry Coil Indirect Stage Evaporative Cooler .....................................688Figure 143. Dry Coil Indirect Stage evaporative cooling process ........................689Figure 144. Wetted Coil Indirect Stage Evaporative Cooler ................................690Figure 145. Wetted Coil Indirect Stage evaporative cooling process ....................690Two Stage Indirect Staged with a Direct .............................................................690Figure 146. Two Stage Evaporative Cooler.........................................................691Figure 147. Two Stage evaporative cooling process............................................691Evaporative Cooler Controls ...............................................................................691Other Systems Parameters...................................................................................693Efficiencies of the Indirect Stage .........................................................................694

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Table 48. Legend of terms used to develop Evaporative Cooler equations...........695Efficiencies of the Evaporative Media .................................................................695Figure 148. Relationships between efficiency, Pad Thickness, and Air Flow.......696Output Reports for the Evaporative Cooler ..........................................................696

Exterior Convection Coefficients ......................................................................................696Outside Convection Coefficients..........................................................................697Figure 149. Relationships between h, Wind Speed, and Roughness ....................697Relationship of Outside Convection Coefficients to Zone Loads ..........................698Figure 150. Thermal Resistance Network...........................................................698Figure 151. Heating Load vs. Wind Speed..........................................................699Summary ............................................................................................................699

Fan Power Coefficients .....................................................................................................700Figure 152. FFLP vs PLR for three types of volume control................................701

Free Cooling Chiller .........................................................................................................701Figure 153. FFL vs PLR for Compression Chillers .............................................702

Generators ........................................................................................................................702Diesel Generator .................................................................................................702Table 49. Manufacturer's Data - Diesel Generator ..............................................704Table 50. Exhaust Gas Temperature for Various PLRs .......................................704Table 51. Exhaust Gas Heat for Various PLRs....................................................705Table 52. Lube Heat for Various PLRs ...............................................................705Table 53. Jacket Heat for Various PLRs .............................................................706Table 54. Fuel Consumption for Various PLRs...................................................706Table 55. Normalized Data ................................................................................706Gas Turbine ........................................................................................................707Table 56. Gas Turbine Generator Data (Output Capacity = 8800 X 10³ Btu/hr) ...708Table 57. Data for Determining FUEL1G Parameter Set ....................................708Table 58. Data for Determining FUEL2G Parameter Set ....................................709Table 59. Data for Determining TEX1G Parameter Set ......................................709Table 60. Data for Determining TEX2G Parameter Set ......................................710Table 61. Data for Determining FEXG Parameter Set ........................................710Heat Recovery.....................................................................................................711Summary ............................................................................................................712

Heat Pump Air Source ......................................................................................................712Heating Mode Model...........................................................................................712Cooling Mode Model ..........................................................................................713Transient Effects Model ......................................................................................715

Heat Recovery Parameters.................................................................................................717High Temperature Radiant Heaters ...................................................................................718Ice Storage (Direct)...........................................................................................................719

Ice Storage System Control .................................................................................719Figure 154. Ice Storage Control Options ............................................................720Performance Parameters......................................................................................721Special Parameters ..............................................................................................723Output Reports....................................................................................................727Figure 155. Terms encountered on the BLAST Ice Storage Report .....................728Figure 156. Terms encountered on the Ice Storage Dump Report .......................729Step-by-Step Procedure for Ice Storage Modeling................................................730Things to Consider When Using Ice Storage .......................................................730

Ice Storage (Indirect) ........................................................................................................732Ice Storage System Control .................................................................................732Special Parameters ..............................................................................................733Performance Parameters......................................................................................736Ice Storage Chiller Performance Parameters........................................................739

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Output Reports....................................................................................................740Figure 157. Terms in the Ice Storage Report ......................................................742Figure 158. Terms in the Ice Storage Dump Report............................................743Step-by-Step Procedure for Ice Storage Modeling................................................743Things to Consider When Using Ice Storage .......................................................744

Influence Coefficients: Using BLAST in Design ...............................................................745Parameter Estimation..........................................................................................745Calculating Influence Coefficients.......................................................................746Figure 159. Example of a Dimensional Influence Coefficient .............................747Calculating Influence Coefficients: A Case Study................................................750Figure 160. Construction Features......................................................................750Figure 161. Influence Coefficients for Conventionally Built Units ......................750Figure 162. Influence Coefficients for Factory Built Units ..................................751Using Influence Coefficients To Estimate Error ..................................................751Figure 163. Influence Coefficients and Error Analysis for Conventionally Built Units...........................................................................................................................752Figure 164. Influence Coefficients and Error Analysis for Factory Built Units....752Influence Coefficients Based On Other Simulation Results..................................752Figure 165. Influence Coefficients and Error Analysis Based on Cost.................753Figure 166. Influence Coefficients and Error Analysis Based on Cost.................753Figure 167. Comparison of Loads Based and Cost Based Influence Coefficients.754Summary ............................................................................................................754

Interaction of Loads and Systems......................................................................................755Load Calculations ...............................................................................................755System Calculations ............................................................................................756Case Study ..........................................................................................................758Table 62 . Night Setback with No Cooling Profile; System Schedule = "ON" .....760Figure 168. Heating Load with Supply Air Temperature vs Time ........................761Figure 169. Cooling Load with Supply Air Temperature vs Time........................761Table 63. Night Setback with No Cooling Profile; System Schedule = "OFF".....762Figure 170. Heating and Cooling Consumptions for System Scheduled "OFF" ...762Conclusions ........................................................................................................763

Interior Convection Coefficients .......................................................................................764Figure 171. BLAST Interior Convection Coefficients .........................................764Figure 172. Enhanced and reduced convection for horizontal surfaces................765

Interpreting Unmet Loads.................................................................................................766Unmet Loads with Demand.................................................................................766Unmet Loads without Demand ............................................................................767

Limits on a BLAST Run ...................................................................................................768Maximum Temperature Errors .........................................................................................769Metabolic Rate..................................................................................................................770

† Ranges are for activities which may vary considerably from one place of work orleisure to another or when performed by different people. 1 met = 58.2 W/m**2. Someactivities are difficult to evaluate because of differences in exercise intensity and bodyposition. ..............................................................................................................771Table 64. Metabolic Rate at Different Typical Activities‡...................................771‡Reprinted by permission from 1985 ASHRAE Handbook of Fundamentals, p. 8.11.771

Return Air Plenums ..........................................................................................................771Figure 173. BLAST method for modeling a return air plenum ...........................772Figure 174. Energy balance in the modeling of a return air plenum....................772

Simplifying BLAST Input.................................................................................................773Introduction ........................................................................................................773The BLAST Building Model ...............................................................................774

xvi •• Table of Contents BLAST User's Manual

Describing as Few Zones as Possible ...................................................................776Describing as Few Surfaces as Possible ...............................................................779Figure 175. Six walls or four? ............................................................................780Figure 176. 11 Partitions or 1 Internal Mass.......................................................781Using HBLC Effectively......................................................................................782Conclusions ........................................................................................................783

Special Parameters Definitions .........................................................................................783Thermal Comfort..............................................................................................................791

Thermal Comfort Models in BLAST...................................................................791Figure 177. Thermal sensation scales .................................................................791BLAST Thermal Comfort Execution Time Considerations..................................792Figure 178. CPU time for thermal comfort models .............................................792

Thermally Stratified Tank.................................................................................................792Figure 179. Stratified Fluid Storage Tank ..........................................................793Energy Calculations and Modes of Operations ....................................................794Mixing near the Diffusers ...................................................................................795Number of tank elements needed.........................................................................795Chilled Water Pumps Model ...............................................................................796Control Strategies ...............................................................................................797Figure 180. BLAST simulation flowchart...........................................................798Figure 181. Non storage load profile .................................................................799Figure 182. Full storage load profile..................................................................799Figure 183. Partial storage - load leveling chiller ...............................................800Figure 184. Partial storage - load leveling storage .............................................800Figure 185. Stratified thermal storage control options ........................................801Using the BLAST Model.....................................................................................801Sizing of Chilled Water Storage Systems ............................................................802Figure 186. Determination of usable tank volume for tank sizing example .........803

Example: Using the BLAST Chiller Models ....................................................................804BLAST Chiller Models .......................................................................................804Base Line Annual Simulation..............................................................................804Part Load Influences using Default Parameters....................................................805Multiple Chillers vs. Single Chiller using Default Parameters .............................805Figure 187. Monthly average chiller COP with default parameters. ....................806Figure 188. Monthly chiller energy use with default parameters .........................806Outdoor Temperature Influences using Default Parameters .................................806Multiple Chillers vs. Single Chiller using Customized Parameters ......................807Figure 189. Monthly average chiller COP with customized parameters. .............808Figure 190. Monthly chiller energy use with customized parameters ..................808Conclusions ........................................................................................................808

View to Sky and Ground...................................................................................................809Figure 191. Effect of Changing VIEW TO SKY/GROUND................................810Figure 192. Effect of Tilt Angle on Loads Using Default View Factors...............810

Water Loop Heat Pump System (WLHPS) ........................................................................810WLHPS Loop Model...........................................................................................810Figure 193. Heat pump system nodes .................................................................811WLHPS Heat Pump Unit Model..........................................................................813Table 65. Heat Pump Cooling Data ....................................................................814Figure 194. Water source heat pump performance trends in heating mode .........816Figure 195. Water source heat pump performance trends in cooling mode..........816Figure 196. BLAST Heat Pump Model Lumping................................................816WLHPS Central Plant Models.............................................................................818WLHPS Loop Pump Model .................................................................................819Figure 197. Parallel Resistance in Heat Pump Networks.....................................821

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Figure 198. Relative pressure drop vs. Relative flow rate....................................822WLHPS Storage Tank Model ..............................................................................822WLHPS Air Handler/Ventilation System Model..................................................823WLHPS TUTORIAL...................................................