Windcatcher CFD Simulation ANSYS Fluent Training

Description

In the this simulation is about windcatcher via ANSYS Fluent software. We perform this CFD project and investigate it by CFD analysis. The Wind Catcher transfers air into the building by suction to drive warm and polluted air out. The internal structure is such that air enters and traps between the walls. As a result, air moves downward from its outlet panels to the building's interior.

The model is a tower for ventilation and cooling the building's interior located on the roof. These windcatchers are usually tall, and engineers build them in the form of one-way, four-way, and eight-way. The mechanism of the windcatcher is to take the desired wind from the ambient to the building.

Sometimes, inside the buildings, there are special pools through which the wind flows and cools down by evaporation, resulting in moist and cool winds.

In this problem is to simulate the airflow and ventilation inside a windcatcher. The windcatcher is octagonal and has a relatively simple structure. The windcatcher consists of a column for pulling the out air to the inside or sucking up the air inside, room space for air circulation inside it, and a wall for the space around the building of this windcatcher also.

This model set is located in a large space of open airflow domain. The wind moves horizontally at 10 m/s towards the windbreak building. Also, the model pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure.

This project investigates the flow of air entering the windcatcher building and the flow of air inside it.

We have designed the geometry using ANSYS Design modeler software. We also created the mesh on this geometry using ANSYS meshing software. The mesh type is unstructured with 2332185 cells.

Method

We only discuss fluids analysis in this simulation and don't require heat transfer analysis. In this project, geometric modeling is important for fluid behavior.

In the interior space above the windcatcher, we design surfaces as barriers in such a way that some windcatcher inlets are exposed to direct wind flow; In this way, traction and the suction property are created inside the windcatcher on both sides of the windshield column, and thus the circulation of airflow inside the interior of the room below the windcatcher.

Windcatcher Result

After simulation, we obtain the contours of velocity and pressure. Also, we obtain velocity vectors and pathlines. The contours show that the pressure is greater in the part of the windcatcher in front of direct winds than in the part of the windcatcher behind the wind direction.

Also, the vectors and pathlines clearly show that the airflow enters from the top panels of the windshield tower and, after being trapped, moves downwards and is transferred from the lower panels of the windshield to the building's interior. So, in conclusion, the system of this windshield is working properly.