Swamp Cooler Application for Building HVAC CFD Simulation

This project focuses on simulating and analyzing the impact of a swamp cooler on a building’s HVAC system using ANSYS Fluent CFD. The aim is to understand how the cooler air output from a swamp cooler affects temperature distribution and air circulation patterns within a building space, and its overall influence on the HVAC system’s performance, without explicitly modeling the evaporation process.

Project Objectives:

Understand how the cooled air from a swamp cooler interacts with a building’s HVAC system.
Analyze temperature distribution and airflow patterns in a space cooled by a swamp cooler.
Evaluate the cooling effectiveness of the swamp cooler output in different room configurations.
Assess the impact of the swamp cooler on overall HVAC system performance.
Project Outline:

Model a representative building space with a simulated swamp cooler air output integrated into the HVAC system.

Include relevant building features such as windows, doors, and basic furnishings.
Define boundary conditions to represent realistic scenarios:

External ambient temperature
Swamp cooler output (temperature and flow rate)
Heat gains from various sources (solar, occupants, equipment)
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 to capture cooling dynamics
Analyze simulation results, focusing on:

Temperature distribution throughout the space
Airflow patterns and velocities
Cooling effectiveness at different points in the room
Impact on overall air distribution in the HVAC system
Evaluate the cooling performance based on the swamp cooler’s output:

Analyze temperature changes in the space
Assess the uniformity of cooling across the area
Examine the interaction between the cooled air and existing HVAC airflows
Investigate thermal comfort levels using appropriate indices (e.g., PMV, PPD), focusing on temperature effects.

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

Consider the implications of the swamp cooler output on the broader HVAC system:

Impact on air handling units and distribution systems
Effects on overall system performance and air quality
Discuss how the integration of a swamp cooler affects HVAC design considerations and potential energy implications.

By completing this project, you will gain valuable insights into how the cooled air output from a swamp cooler influences building HVAC systems. This knowledge is crucial for understanding the integration of alternative cooling methods with conventional HVAC systems. The CFD simulation skills acquired will enable you to analyze complex airflow and temperature distribution scenarios, contributing to more efficient building climate control solutions.