Numerical and experimental study of 3D turbulent airflow in a full scale heated ventilated room

Abstract

Velocities and temperatures in a large room heated to nearly 20 °C by an electric resistance and ventilated by a cool (16 °C) horizontal jet were measured along eight different vertical lines. These measurements are used in conjunction with corresponding numerical predictions by the RNG k-ε model to describe the hydrodynamic and thermal fields in the room. The interaction between the horizontal ventilation jet (which remains attached to the ceiling since both its inlet and outlet are in the ceiling) and the natural convection movement (which is upward above the electric heater and downward along the cold wall and windows) creates a complex 3D flow field. The CFD model is also used to study the effect of the air outlet position on the flow field and the net energy outflow due to ventilation. This last quantity represents 48% to 63% of the power delivered by the electric resistance.