Swamp Cooler Application for Building HVAC CFD Simulation

This INTERMEDIATE level ANSYS Fluent CFD simulation tutorial introduces the basics of HVAC system modeling using a simple swamp cooler (evaporative cooler) application in a building. The episode is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of airflow dynamics in indoor spaces using computational fluid dynamics.

Key aspects of this basic intermediate-level simulation include:

Building Geometry: Analysis of a simplified building model with a basic swamp cooler setup, focusing on the general airflow patterns within the space.

HVAC System Representation: Implementation of a basic swamp cooler model as a source of cool air within the CFD simulation, including simple inlet and outlet configurations.

Airflow Patterns: Examination of general air distribution patterns and temperature gradients throughout the building space.

Turbulence Modeling: Introduction to basic turbulence models (such as k-ε) to capture overall airflow patterns within the building.

Boundary Conditions: Setting up basic boundary conditions for walls, air inlets, and outlets to represent the HVAC system operation.

Steady-State Simulation: Focus on steady-state conditions to simplify the analysis and interpretation of results.

Basic Performance Metrics: Simple analysis of airflow rates and temperature distribution as indicators of the HVAC system’s performance.

Post-Processing Basics: Introduction to ANSYS post-processing tools to visualize airflow patterns and temperature distributions within the building.

This basic intermediate-level training aims to introduce participants to the fundamentals of simulating HVAC systems using ANSYS Fluent. It provides insights into the basics of indoor airflow modeling and simple HVAC system representation in CFD.

The tutorial focuses on the essential setup, solving, and basic analysis phases of the CFD simulation, using a pre-defined simple building geometry and mesh. This approach allows students to concentrate on understanding the basics of airflow modeling in indoor spaces and interpreting fundamental results in the context of building ventilation.

Participants will gain introductory experience in handling CFD simulations involving basic HVAC applications, preparing them for more advanced analysis of various cooling and ventilation systems in future studies.