Advanced analysis of air and energy flow in large enclosures

In large enclosures the ventilation system will only control air flow patterns locally, while buoyancy forces control conditions in the rest of the space. Therefore, it is important for the design of well-working and efficient heating and ventilation systems that air flow conditions are well know in the whole enclosure. Detailed analysis of air and energy flows in large enclosures is only possible by Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) where thermal conditions at enclosure boundaries are taken into consideration by building dynamic simulations. The project purpose is to develop a tool for improved and more detailed analysis of air and energy flows in large enclosures such as atria, industrial halls, shopping malls, auditoria etc. The tool is developed by combining a CFD-program - which in detail analyses air flow and temperature conditions in the enclosure - with an integrated building simulation system for energy and indoor climate analysis, which in consideration of outdoor climate and internal heat loads analyses the dynamic thermal conditions of the building. The project contains determination of parameters and models to be exchanged between the programs including the amount and the detail of the data. It also contains development of analytical models for modification of data that are to be exchanged between programs as well as methods for appropriate choice of simulation situations