Computational and experimental reduced-scale modelling of air conditioned rooms

An improper air distribution within air-conditioned rooms is one of the largest causes of inadequate indoor air quality and thermal comfort. A good knowledge of the phenomena allows for the advance of eventual deficiencies, thus becoming a powerful tool for the optimization of new projects or for the improvement of the operation conditions of the projects already implemented. In this study two methods were applied, one computational and the other experimental, for modelling of non-isothermal turbulent flows in airconditioned rooms. The computational model consists of a numerical
procedure, which solves in finite-difference form using a control volume technique, the three-dimensional time-averaged equations expressing the conservation of mass, momentum, energy and concentration of species. The turbulence is modelled by the k-e model and thermal radiation by the discrete transfer method. The experimental validation was accomplished through
comparison of the numerical predictions with measurements obtained in a laboratory model, designed to provide similarity with the real room. The good agreement obtained suggests a good accuracy for engineering purposes. A simple physical modelling technique, based on dimensional analysis, was used to derive the physical properties of the experimental (reduced) model. The
simulation of the humidity, the thermal and air flow patterns in a forced ventilated cooling room was performed.