The role of computational fluid dynamics in the building energy and environmental analysis

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to introduce a Computational Fluid Dynamics model to study the steady three-dimensional turbulent airflow pattern, with thermal buoyant effects, the heat transfer, the gas contaminant transport and the moist air transport into mechanical or natural ventilated spaces, with furniture and people. The calculations made use of a numerical procedure with solves the three-dimensional steady state equations for the conservation of mass, momentum, thermal energy and air contaminant transport, tanking account of the effects of buoyancy and airflow turbulence. In order to demonstrate its applicability, the code has been used to predict the thermal, the airflow pattern and the environment in an office ventilated room. Based on this predictions and on thermal comfort models it was possible to evaluate the thermal comfort