CFD analysis of Indoor thermal and flow characteristics for air distribution with varied return air location

Abstract

Air conditioning of spaces requires the air to be supplied in the conditioned space of desired thermal quality and at flow rate of specific requirement. It is essential in providing human comfort in commercial and residential spaces to have the desired characteristics of the supplied air. The main characteristics of the air among others are the supply air temperature and its flow velocity. The objective of air conditioning of spaces is that, the conditioned air provided comfort to the occupants of the spaces and goods are protected from being deteriorate. The conditioned air is required to be maintained at certain desired physical condition with defined temperature, humidity and velocity of flow. The objective of this paper is to present the numerical simulation of the temperature and velocity variation in an air conditioned space. Three cases have been taken into consideration for three different locations of the return air vent. The conditioned air is supplied through one of the wall of the room through an opening. The air is returned through the return air vent placed on the opposite side of the wall. Temperature and velocity distribution for three cases of return air vent locations have been presented. The numerical results show that the supply air vent at a position near the ceiling provides the more uniform temperature and velocity distribution and thus the comfort.

Keywords: Air conditioning; Air Distribution; Numerical simulation