On the numerical study of contaminant particle concentration in indoor airflow

The application of three turbulence models—standard k–ε, re-normalization group (RNG) k–ε and RNG-based large eddy simulation (LES) model—to simulate indoor contaminant particle dispersion and concentration distribution in a model room has been investigated. The measured air phase velocity data obtained by Posner et al. [Energy and Buildings 2003;35:515–26], are used to validate the simulation results. All the three turbulence model predictions have shown to be in good agreement with the experimental data. The RNG-based LES model has shown to yield the best agreement. The flow of contaminant particles (with diameters of 1 and 10 μm) is simulated within the indoor airflow environment of the model room. Comparing the three turbulence models for particle flow predictions, the RNG-based LES model through better accommodating unsteady low-Reynolds-number (LRN) turbulent flow structure has shown to provide more realistic particle dispersion and concentration distribution than the other two conventional turbulence models. As the experimental approach to access indoor contaminant particle concentration can be rather expensive and unable to provide the required detailed information, the LES prediction can be effectively employed to validate the widely used k–ε models that are commonly applied in many building simulation investigations.     

A second order turbulence model for the prediction of air movement and heat transfer in a ventilated room

A full-scale test room is used to investigate experimentally and numerically the velocity and temperature fields in the case of a mechanical ventilation. Detailed fields are measured for three cases of ventilation air temperature: an isothermal case, a hot case, and a cold case. The experimental data are used to test two turbulence models: a first order k-ε realizable turbulence model and a second order quadratic RSM (Reynolds Stress Model) turbulence model. The RSM model predicts the temperature and velocity fields better than the k-ε turbulence model. In particular, global values of velocity and temperature coming from experiments are in good agreement with the RSM turbulence model. This conclusion is confirmed using a turbulence analysis based on Lumley triangles.     

Verification of a CFD model for indoor airflow and heat transfer

The SST k–ω based model is applied to calculate air-flow velocities and temperatures in a model office room. Calculations are compared with experiments and with the results of the standard k–ε, the RNG k–ε model and the laminar model. It is concluded that (a) all the three tested turbulent models predict satisfactorily the main qualitative features of the flow and the layered type of temperature fields and (b) computations with the SST k–ω based model show the best agreement with measurements. The use of this model is proposed combined with a suitable grid.     

The effect of ceiling configurations on indoor air motion and ventilation flow rates

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effects of a building parameter, namely ceiling configuration, on indoor natural ventilation. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code Phoenics was used with the RNG k–? turbulence model to study wind motion and ventilation flow rates inside the building. All the CFD boundary conditions were described. The simulation results were first validated by wind tunnel experiment results in detail, and then used to compare rooms with various ceiling configurations in different cases. The simulation results generated matched the experimental results confirming the accuracy of the RNG k–? turbulence model to successfully predict indoor wind motion for this study. Our main results reveal that ceiling configurations have certain effects on indoor airflow and ventilation flow rates although these effects are fairly minor.     

Evaluating the influence of the width of inlet slot on the prediction of indoor airflow: Comparison with experimental data

The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of two values of inlet slot width on the velocity characteristics and turbulent intensity of the airflow inside a rectangular room. The experimental data used to check the numerical results concerns a rectangular room where the air is supplied horizontally on the upper left and is exhausted through an opening on the lower right on the opposite side. The performance of three turbulence models, standard k-?, RNG k-?, and k-ω, in predicting the three-dimensional airflow in that room has also been investigated. The results for Reynolds number of 5000 are presented for dimensionless horizontal velocities and turbulent kinetic energy for two planes of the room and two inlet arrangements, one opening as large as the room and another with half of the width of the room. The results have indicated that the main features of the flow were captured by the three turbulence models investigated. On the whole, the performance of the standard k-? model was better than those of the other two turbulence models. In particular, the k-ω model performed better in the configuration with the largest air opening than in that with the smallest one, while the RNG k-? model presented the opposite behavior. The comparative study between both geometries demonstrated that for slots much smaller than the width of the room, three-dimensional effects become important.     

Numerical prediction of gas concentrations and fluctuations above a triangular hill within a turbulent boundary layer

The objective of the present work is to propose a numerical and statistical approach, using computational fluid dynamics, for the study of the atmospheric pollutant dispersion. Modifications in the standard k-ε turbulence model and additional equations for the calculation of the variance of concentration are introduced to enhance the prediction of the flow field and scalar quantities. The flow field, the mean concentration and the variance of a flow over a two-dimensional triangular hill, with a finite-size point pollutant source, are calculated by a finite volume code and compared with published experimental results. A modified low Reynolds k-ε turbulence model was employed in this work, using the constant of the k-ε model C_μ=0.03 to take into account the inactive atmospheric turbulence. The numerical results for the velocity profiles and the position of the reattachment point are in good agreement with the experimental results. The results for the mean and the variance of the concentration are also in good agreement with experimental results from the literature.     

Experimental and numerical study of a mechanically ventilated enclosure with thermal effects

Full-scale experimental and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods are used to investigate the velocity and temperature fields in a mechanically ventilated enclosure. Detailed airflow characteristics were measured in three cases of ventilation air temperature: an isothermal case, a hot case and a cold case. The experimental data were used to validate two CFD models: a Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes equation (RANS) modelling and a large Eddy simulation (LES) modelling. The RANS model provides results in better agreement with experimental data, excepted for the cold case. It has been found that the LES model underestimates the expansion of the jet in the three cases, disabling the use of this model for the prediction of the flow field in ventilated rooms.     

Dispersion of gas pollutant in a fan-filter-unit (FFU) cleanroom

Numerical simulation and experimental measurement of flow and concentration fields in a working fan-filter-unit (FFU) cleanroom have been conducted in this study. The purpose of the study is to find out the unsteady concentration distribution of a leaking gas pollutant. The standard K–ε model was used for the simulation of the flow field. To obtain the gas concentration field, SF₆ gas with a certain concentration was released as a simulated leaking source from a valve manifold box (VMB) for 5 or 10 min, respectively. Three Fourier transform infrared spectrometers (FTIRs) were simultaneously used to measure the spatial and temporal distributions of SF₆ concentrations. The measured data were then compared with the numerical results and the agreement is seen to be quite good. From the numerical results, the pollutant hot spots, peak pollutant concentration at the end of leaking, and time taken for the concentration to reduce to near background level are obtained.     

Thermal analysis of vaulted roofs

In hot arid regions, cooling buildings by passive techniques is very important regarding energy saving and the need to keep clean the environment. In such areas, domed and vaulted roofs are widely used for centuries, such as in the Middle East region and central part of Iran. In this article analysis is made to explore east–west direction of wind flow around north–south vaulted roofs and flat roof buildings. Combined convection and solar radiation over the roofs is considered to studying thermal performances of vaulted roofs and comparing their heat transfer with flat roofs. Two-dimensional RNG k–? turbulence model is incorporated to predict turbulent flow field as well as separation and recirculating patterns around the vaulted roofs and flat roof buildings. Solar radiation distribution over the roofs is determined based on an appropriate model applicable to hot arid regions of Iran. Pressure differences above the vaulted roof are compared with flat roof for various rim angles and different wind speeds. Heat transfer to the building with respect to time is determined for a certain inside ceiling design temperature, various wind flows and vault shapes, and results are compared with corresponding flat roof. It was found that daily average heat flux for all vaulted roofs, except vaulted roof of rim angle 180° is less than flat roof and it reduces further by increasing wind speed.     

Numerical simulation of TBM construction ventilation in a long diversion tunnel

A three-dimensional Renormalization-group (RNG) k-ε model has been performed for forced ventilation to the working face of a long diversion tunnel, taking into account the effects of air leakage and the frictional resistance along the tunnel. The case study involves the working face during TBM construction of the Xinjiang 81 Daban long diversion tunnel, China. Analysis of the flow-field distribution and the pressure distribution near the working face and tunnel outlet revealed the relationships among the air leakage rate per 100 m, pressure difference at the air leakage port, and quantity of air in the air duct. The simulation results show that the air flux, velocity, and leakage rate gradually decrease along the tunnel. The air leakage rate per 100 m increases logarithmically along with pressure growth when the latter is limited within a certain pressure difference range. A low-pressure area can be found on the duct wall near the air leakage port, and the pressure inside the tunnel gradually decreases from the working face to the tunnel outlet; the velocity is relatively high near the leakage port, and is low in the tunnel. The simulated results were in good agreement with the experimental work by Cigdem Aydin and Hui-min Wang, and the simulated axial velocities of the tunnel were validated with the empirical value.     

A comparative study of the Mellor-Yamada and k-ε two-equation turbulence models in atmospheric application

The present study systematically compares the Mellor-Yamada (MY) model and the k−ε algebraic stress model in order to verify the possibility of using the k−ε algebraic stress model in atmospheric applications. The results of the parameterization process and atmospheric application of both models confirmed that the MY model neglected the pressure redistribution effect of buoyancy due to 〈u_iu_j〉 and 〈u_iθ〉 and that of shear due to 〈u_iθ〉. In addition, the MY model overestimated the turbulent energy dissipation. Based on the formulation of the k−ε algebraic stress model, we modified the constant value C_μ(=0.09) in the standard k−ε model to obtain the variables C_μM and C_μH to account for atmospheric stability. Finally, the results of the simulation obtained from the Wangara experiment verify the possibility of using the k−ε algebraic stress model in atmospheric application.     

Numerical investigation of the effect of road structures on ambient air quality—for their better design

Two-dimensional numerical simulation for investigating wind and concentration field around a double-decked road structure was performed using a standard k-ε turbulence model. The main objective of this paper is to study how road fences installed at a double-decked road affect ambient air quality, especially, pollutant concentration at some downstream locations. For model validation, calculated results were compared with available field experiment. Performance of the standard k-ε model was also compared with that of the renormalization group k-ε model for the double-decked road. Obtained results clarified how and how much pollutant concentration distribution is influenced by road structures with and without fences: the fences on the upper deck have generally positive effect on decreasing of air pollution near ground level while those on the ground always not. The computer code we used is CFX4.     

Experimental and numerical study of room airflow under stratum ventilation

This paper investigates the air movement, air temperature profile and gaseous contaminant transportation in an individual office with stratum ventilation. The room temperature is elevated compared with conventional standards. The experimental investigation is carried out in an environmental chamber with the presence of heat generating rectangles used to simulate an occupant and a computer. Measurements of temperature, velocity, and CO₂ concentration are carried out for nine plumb lines in the chamber. Up to sixteen points are measured along each plumb line. The experimental data of the aforesaid three parameters of the individual office in warm condition under stratum ventilation are presented. The experimental data collected are used to validate a re-normalization group (RNG) k–? turbulence model used for the warm condition. The agreements between the predicted values and experimental results are acceptable, which demonstrates the feasibility of simulating indoor airflows at elevated room temperature under stratum ventilation by the RNG k–? turbulence model.     

Natural cross-ventilation in buildings: Building-scale experiments,numerical simulation and thermal comfort evaluation

The constantly increasing energy consumption due to the use of mechanical ventilation contributes to atmospheric pollution and global warming. An alternative method to overcome this problem is natural ventilation. The proper design of natural ventilation must be based on detailed understanding of airflow within enclosed spaces, governed by pressure differences due to wind and buoyancy forces. In the present study, natural cross-ventilation with openings at non-symmetrical locations is examined experimentally in a test chamber and numerically using advanced computational fluid dynamics techniques. The experimental part consisted of temperature and velocity measurements at strategically selected locations in the chamber, during noon and afternoon hours of typical summer days. External weather conditions were recorded by a weather station at the chamber's site. The computational part of the study consisted of the steady-state application of three Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) models modified to account for both wind and buoyancy effects: the standard k–?, the RNG k–? and the so-called “realizable” k–? models. Two computational domains were used, corresponding to each recorded wind incidence angle. It is concluded that all turbulence models applied agree relatively well with the experimental measurements. The indoor thermal environment was also studied using two thermal comfort models found in literature for the estimation of thermal comfort under high-temperature experimental conditions.     

Airflow analysis in an air conditioning room

The aim of superior air conditioning system is no longer constrained to advancing the efficiency of cooling machine, but includes the study of airflow with the assistance of the distribution of several significant parameters. A simple numerical study of the turbulent flow over an enclosed air conditioning system was not practicable a few decades ago since the computer facilities were not sufficient. In this paper, a standard office room was taken up for simulation. Temperature and velocity distribution over various virtual planes for different locations of the air conditioner blower were analyzed to achieve the maximum comfort for the occupant. With Fluent, as solution tool, k–epsilon and Reynolds stress models for turbulence flow were used for the analysis. The different locations of blower placement are analyzed for better comfort of occupant in the room and it is found that the occupant will experience most comfort if the air conditioner blower is placed on location II compared to the other two locations. This work can also be extended to a more complex air conditioning system like in the industries, hospitals as well as the gigantic shopping malls.     

Applicability of linear type revised k-ε models to flow over topographic features

Accurate prediction of the wind energy distribution over terrains is essential for the appropriate selection of a suitable site for a wind power plant. This paper presents two-dimensional numerical simulations of flow over three common types of topographic features, i.e., a hill and two types of slopes (up-slope and down-slope). In a previous investigation by the present authors [Lun, Y.F., Mochida, A., Murakami, S., Yoshino, H., Shirasawa, T., 2003. Numerical simulation of flow over topographic features by revised k-ε models. J. Wind Eng. Ind. Aerodyn. 91(1-2), 231-245], the revised k-ε model proposed by P.A. Durbin [1996. Technical note: on the k-ε stagnation point anomaly. Int. J. Heat Fluid Flow 17, 89-90] was applied to flow prediction over a hill. Although, this model works well for flow around bluff bodies, a limitation was revealed in the area downstream of the hill. In this study, two new revised k-ε models proposed by Y. Nagano, H. Hattori and T. Irikado [2001. Prediction of flow over a complex terrain using turbulence model. In: Proceedings of the TED-Conference’01, JSME, in Japanese] and by Y. Nagano and H. Hattori [2003. A new low-Reynolds-number turbulence model with hybrid time-scales of mean flow and turbulence for complex wall flows. In: Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, Antalya, Turkey, October 12-17, 2003], i.e., the Ω and S-Ω models, were employed. These models are based on a mixed-time-scale concept. Their performance in predicting flow over various topographic features, namely a hill, up-slope and down-slope, was investigated. The problem of the Durbin model was corrected by the Ω model. However, a drawback of the Ω model was found in the upstream region. A new model, the S-Ω model, was introduced and was found to correct this problem. The S-Ω model showed best agreement with experiments for the hill case and the slope cases.     

Improving predictions of heat transfer in indoor environments with eddy viscosity turbulence models

Heat transfer modelling in indoor environments requires an accurate prediction of the convective heat transfer phenomenon. Because of the lower computational cost and numerical stability, eddy viscosity turbulence models are often used. These models allow modification to turbulent Prandtl number, and near wall correction which influences stagnation points, entrainment, and velocity and time scales. A modified v ²–f model was made to correct the entrainment behaviour in the near wall and at the stagnation point. This new model was evaluated on six cases involving free and forced convection and room airflow scenarios and compared with the standard k–ε, and k–ω–SST models. The results showed that the modification to the v ²–f model provided better predictions of the buoyant heat transfer flows while the standard k–ε failed to reproduce and underestimate the convective heat transfer. The k–ω–SST model was able to predict the flow field well only for a 2D square cavity room, and 3D partitioned room case, while it was poor for the other four cases.     

Numerical studies on air flow around a cube

In this paper, air approach flow moving towards a cube will be studied using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The Reynolds Averaging of Navier-Stokes (RANS) equation types of k-ε turbulence model are used. Some RANS predicted results are compared with different upstream air speeds. Flow separation at the corner above the top of the cube, level of separation and reattachment are investigated. Reference is made to the experimental data on wind tunnels reported in the literature.A method similar to ‘recirculation bubble promoter’ is used for different approach flow speed distributions. Problems encountered in numerical simulations due to the sharp corner are discussed with a view to obtaining better prediction on recirculation flow in regions above the top of the cube. Correlations between the turbulent kinetic energy above the cube and the recirculation bubble size are derived for different distributions of approach flow speed.By limiting the longitudinal velocities in the first cell adjacent to the sharp edge of the cube or rib, and making good use of the wall functions at the intersection cells of the velocity components, positions of maximum turbulent kinetic energy and the flow separation and reattachment can be predicted by a standard k-ε model. The results agree with those obtained in the experiments.     

Enhancement of stack ventilation in hot and humid climate using a combination of roof solar collector and vertical stack

In the hot and humid climate, stack ventilation is inefficient due to small temperature difference between the inside and outside of naturally ventilated buildings. Hence, solar induced ventilation is a feasible alternative in enhancing the stack ventilation. This paper aims to investigate the effectiveness of a proposed solar induced ventilation strategy, which combines a roof solar collector and a vertical stack, in enhancing the stack ventilation performance in the hot and humid climate. The methodology selected for the investigation is physical experimental modelling which was carried out in the actual environment. The results are presented and discussed in terms of two performance variables: air temperature and air velocity. The findings indicate that the proposed strategy is able to enhance the stack ventilation, both in semi-clear sky and overcast sky conditions. The highest air temperature difference between the air inside the stack and the ambient air (T_i−T_o) is achieved in the semi-clear sky condition, which is about 9.9 °C (45.8 °C–35.9 °C). Meanwhile, in the overcast sky condition, the highest air temperature difference (T_i−T_o) is 6.2 °C (39.3 °C–33.1 °C). The experimental results also indicate good agreement with the theoretical results for the glass temperature, the air temperature in the roof solar collector’s channel and the absorber temperature. The findings also show that wind has significant effect to the induced air velocity by the proposed strategy.     

Evaluation of buoyancy-driven ventilation in atrium buildings using computational fluid dynamics and reduced-scale air model

This research focuses on developing a reliable methodology for predicting the performance of buoyancy-driven ventilation in atrium buildings during the design stage using both computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and scale model tests. The results show several features. First, the agreement between CFD simulation and measurement results in the heated zone is better with rng k–? and zero-equation turbulent schemes; whereas, in the atrium space, the laminar and zero-equation CFD models provide better results. Second, the external ambient temperature has a larger effect on the temperature distribution in the atrium space than the thermal load inside the building. Third, the position of the stack openings that create a direct ventilation path can improve the internal thermal environment. The size of the stack openings also affects the temperature distribution in the atrium space. Lastly, due to the small temperature difference in hot and humid climates, a buoyancy-only ventilation strategy is not very effective in such a situation. That is, when a low-rise atrium building is situated in a hot and humid environment, additional efforts such as wind-driven ventilation, wind-buoyancy ventilation or mechanically driven ventilation will be necessary to achieve the thermal comfort desired.