Generation of a zonal model to simulate natural convection in a room with a radiative/convective heater

A zonal model of room air convection is formulated. It consists of a set of coupled equations determined by heat and mass balance on each of the 24 cells into which the room is divided, convection from the room surfaces and radiant exchange among the room surfaces. The equations are solved iteratively with the SPARK object-oriented simulation environment to determine the room air flow and temperature distribution. The plume caused by warm air rising from a heater is modeled. Calculated air temperatures agree with measurements in an experimental room to within 1.0°C except near the ceiling, where the agreement is to within 1.3°C.