Thermal analysis for a double glazing unit with and without a solar control film (SnS-CuxS) for using in hot climates

In this paper the thermal analysis by natural convection of a double glazing unit ( DGU) is presented. One of the sheet glasses may or may not have a solar control film (SnS-CuxS) on its surface. Solar radiation falls on the outside surface of the DGU at 32 degrees C, the opposite sheet glass interacts with the inside environment at 24 degrees C. The governing equations of mass, momentum and energy of the air enclosed between the two sheet glasses are solved, as well as the heat conduction equation for both sheet glasses. The effect of varying the separation distance between the glasses (1.0 <= b (cm) <= 10.0) and the incident solar radiation is analyzed (500.0 <= G (W/m(2)) <= 800.0). From the results, it was found that in order to reduce heat gains towards the inside environment, the optimal separation distance between the sheet glasses was b >= 6.0 cm. It was also observed that, the use of a solar control film in this type of system (double glazing unit) is highly recommended: due to energy gain was reduced by 55% compared to the traditional DGU without solar control film. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.