Assignment 5 Natural Ventilation

Introduction

In this homework assignment, you will conduct simulations (using ANSYS Fluent) of natural ventilation
inside a large building. The geometry is provided in Figure 1 below. You must build the geometry, generate
the mesh, set the model up in ANSYS Fluent, place monitors at appropriate locations to measure outputs
and test various sensitivities. Comparison of the mass flow rate from the CFD model via spreadsheet
calculation is also required.

Figure 1 Geometry

Physical parameters:

 Heat source = 2 kW
 Ambient temperature – varies between cases, 15⁰C and 30⁰C, see questions below

Question 1 (2 marks)

Develop the model using ANSYS Fluent. Submit enough detail of the CFD model to describe the basic set
up (including grid resolution [nominal cell size, graphic of mesh on the surface] and grid type, boundary
conditions, numerical discretization scheme, turbulence model, operating density specification,
convergence strategy/measures).

Question 2 (2 marks)

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Assignment 5 Natural Ventilation

Set the ambient temperature to 15⁰C (you must adjust boundary condition temperatures and operating
density), heat source to 2000 W. According to the spreadsheet calculation (CFD-10-02.xlsx) the mass flow
should be 2.35 kg/s. For this question complete the following:

a) Run the model for enough time to achieve steady state/converged solution; provide a plot of mass
flow at the exit versus time to demonstrate that a steady solution has been achieved.
b) Report the mass flow rate out of the room and average temperature. Compare the result for mass
flow with the spreadsheet calculation (CFD-10-02.xlsx).
c) Provide a (vertical) contour slice of temperature on the centerline of the room (oriented to run
through the centerline of the inlet vents and the outlet vent).

Question 3 (2 marks)

Set the ambient temperature to 30⁰C (you must adjust boundary condition temperatures and operating
density), heat source to 2000 W. According to the spreadsheet calculation (CFD-10-02.xlsx) the mass flow
should be 2.23 kg/s. For this question complete the following:

a) Run the model for enough time to achieve steady state; provide a plot of mass flow at the exit
versus time to demonstrate that a steady solution has been achieved.
b) Report the mass flow rate out of the room and average temperature. Compare the result for mass
flow with the spreadsheet calculation (CFD-10-02.xlsx).
c) Provide a contour slice of temperature on the centerline of the room (oriented to run through the
centerline of the inlet vents and the outlet vent).

Question 4 (1 mark)

Set the ambient temperature to 15⁰C (at pressure inlets and outlets), and now set the operating density
based on a temperature of 20⁰C, turn off the heat source and record the flow through the outlet at the
top of the building (>0 is flow in, <0 is flow out); report the flow rate (in kg/s, flow out of the CFD domain
is <0), and provide a vertical contour slice of z-velocity through the room center plane.

Question 5 (1 mark)

Set the ambient temperature to 15⁰C (at pressure inlets and outlets), and now set the operating density
based on 15⁰C (for this problem this corresponds to 1.225702 kg/m 3 – see note below), turn off the heat
source and record the flow through the outlet at the top of the building (>0 is flow in, <0 is flow out);
report the flow rate (kg/s, flow out of the CFD domain is <0), and provide a vertical contour slice of z-
velocity through the room center plane. (1 mark)

Note: For some reason (TBD), when computing density via the ideal gas equation, the density based on
conditions here (pressure of 101,325 Pa, air, ambient temperature 288 K) is 1.225214 kg/m 3 but when
density is integrated over the domain, initializing at 288 K, the ambient value is 1.225702 kg/m 3). The
difference is small but important – even with a third decimal place difference, there is some flow forced
through the domain.

Question 6 (1.5 marks)

Per the ANSYS Fluent User Guide, the buoyant force in the momentum equations is as per the explanation
provided below (in terms of [ρ-ρ0]). Explain, using results from question 4 and question 5, what happens

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Assignment 5 Natural Ventilation

when density is varied between boundary condition values and the reference value used in the solver (ρ 0)
(hint: in developing your explanation try to imagine, based on density difference between inside and
outside, whether the air will fall into the CFD domain or whether the air is lighter and pushes out of the
CFD domain).

Assessment

Total value: 10% of final grade (10 points/marks – see below for breakdown)

Assessment:

1. Setup 2.0
2. Question 2 2.0
3. Question 3 2.0
4. Question 4 1.0
5. Question 5 1.0
6. Question 6 1.5
Presentation 0.5

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Total 10

Work is to be conducted individually. Be descriptive as possible in your answers. Highlight results.

Organize text clearly and neatly. Clearly state all assumptions. Label and properly refer to figures, tables
and equations presented (0.5 marks (out of 10) of the assignment grade is assigned for presentation).

Due date: November 25, 2019 at 6 pm (0.5 mark deduction for each day of delayed submission).