Flow and temperatures outside a high-rise residential building due to heat rejection by its air conditioners.

Describes how a computational fluid dynamics code was used to predict temperature and flow fields in recessed spaces outside high-rise residential buildings housing condenser units for window air conditioners. Attempts to analyse how heat is rejected into the spaces, which differ in height and location of unit. A strong rising hot air stream and one vortex pair were identified in the space near to the corner wall. It was also found that condenser units operate poorly when placed inside the taller recessed space, and at higher locations and nearer to its corner wall. The units suffer by drawing less air at an elevated temperature, and therefore become less energy efficient, and sometimes have interrupted operation. Condenser units at lower levels, in contrast, may benefit.