Cross Ventilation for Swamp Cooler Cooling CFD Simulation

This project focuses on simulating and analyzing the effectiveness of cross ventilation as a passive cooling strategy in buildings using ANSYS Fluent CFD. The aim is to understand how strategic placement of openings can enhance natural airflow and cooling within a space, providing an energy-efficient alternative to mechanical cooling systems.

Project Objectives:

Understand the principles of cross ventilation for cooling in buildings.
Analyze airflow patterns and temperature distribution in a space cooled by cross ventilation.
Evaluate the cooling effectiveness and energy efficiency of cross ventilation strategies.
Optimize the placement and size of openings for maximum cooling effect.
Project Outline:

Model a simple building space with multiple openings designed for cross ventilation.

Define boundary conditions to represent realistic scenarios:

External wind speed and direction
Ambient temperature
Solar heat gain through walls and windows
Set up material properties for air and building components.

Configure and run the CFD simulation in ANSYS Fluent:

Use appropriate models for turbulence and heat transfer
Consider both steady-state and transient simulations
Analyze simulation results, focusing on:

Airflow patterns throughout the space
Temperature distribution
Air velocity at different points in the room
Air exchange rates and ventilation efficiency
Conduct parametric studies to optimize the cross ventilation:

Vary the size, shape, and location of openings
Experiment with different wind directions and speeds
Assess the impact of internal heat sources
Evaluate the cooling performance of cross ventilation:

Analyze temperature reduction compared to no-ventilation scenarios
Assess the uniformity of cooling across the space
Investigate thermal comfort levels using appropriate indices (e.g., PMV, PPD).

Visualize the results using ANSYS post-processing tools to create informative graphics and animations of airflow and temperature patterns.

Consider the applicability and limitations of cross ventilation in different climatic conditions and building types.

By completing this project, you will gain valuable insights into the effectiveness of cross ventilation as a passive cooling strategy. This knowledge is crucial for designing energy-efficient buildings that maximize natural airflow for cooling. The CFD simulation skills acquired will enable you to analyze and optimize complex airflow scenarios, applicable to a wide range of architectural and HVAC design challenges.