CFD in Ventilation Design

Aalborg Universitet
CFD in Ventilation Design

Nielsen, Peter Vilhelm
Publication date:
2009
Link to publication from Aalborg University
Citation for published version (APA):

Nielsen, P. V. (2009). CFD in Ventilation Design: a new REHVA Guide Book. Aalborg: Department of Civil
Engineering, Aalborg University.
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CFD in Ventilation Design, a

new REHVA Guide Book
by
Peter V. Nielsen,
Aalborg University
Peter V. Nielsen, Aalborg University
pvn@civil.auc.dk
Development in Computer Speed
In 1970. 3D nonisothermal flow.

1 mio. grid points
39 CPU years
In 2009. 3D nonisothermal flow.
1 mio. grid points
pvn@civil.auc.dk
A few CPU
hours
My First Experience with CFD
pvn@civil.auc.dk
The Development
of CFD
The computation cost
is decreasing by a
factor of 10 each
eighth year.
7 x 10
31x31x31
pvn@civil.auc.dk
10,000
CFD Prediction of Cross Infection
pvn@civil.auc.dk
The Amoy Gardens SARS Outbreak
8 1
7
2
3
6
5 4
6
Index patient
visited Flats 7, 16 th Floor
Index patient visited

a flat 7 on two nights
in March 2003
N
pvn@civil.auc.dk
pvn@civil.auc.dk
pvn@civil.auc.dk
Concentration Distribution with 45

degree Deflector
Airflow rate with 100m3/h


pvn@civil.auc.dk

Authors: Peter V. Nielsen (ed.), Francis Allard,
Hazim B. Awbi, Lars Davidson and Alois Schlin
Computational fluid dynamics in a nutshell

Symbols and glossary
Mathematical background
Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
CFD combined with other prediction models
Application of CFD codes in building design
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
10
About the design guide book

The user of the design book is mainly considered
to be a consulting engineer who has to:
- order a CFD prediction
- consider and work with a CFD prediction
- discuss CFD and CFD quality with a supplier of
a CFD prediction
The book is in principle not written for engineers
who are making CFD predictions
pvn@civil.auc.dk
11

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
12
Mathematical Background
From the general description
( )
+ div(V ) = div( grad) + S
t
to a two-dimensional time dependent transport
equation
2c 2c
c c c
+ u + v = D 2 + 2
x y
t
x y
pvn@civil.auc.dk
13

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
14
Turbulence Models
2D steady state laminar
boundary layer flow/
turbulent boundary layer flow
c
c
2c
u + v = c 2 + Sc
x
y
y
A discussion of different turbulence models as
the k- model, the k- model, the SST model
and the Reynolds Stress model
The Large Eddy Simulation is also discussed
pvn@civil.auc.dk
15

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
16
One-Dimensional
Case
The case can be considered as

a small part of a flow, which
in certain areas is one-dimensional,
parallel with grid lines and steady.
dc
d 2c
u = c 2 + S c
dx
dx
pvn@civil.auc.dk
17
Steady One-Dimensional Convection Diffusion Transport Equation
pvn@civil.auc.dk
18
Analytical
expression
One-Dimensional Discretization
Equation
Control-volume formulation (of mass fraction transport

Equation in x direction):
It is necessary to replace values at the cell surfaces e

and w with values at the grid points WW, W, P, E and
EE to have a final version of the discretization equation.
pvn@civil.auc.dk
19
Different Discretization Equations, 1

The flow is studied in a case where the length x is equal
to 4. The boundary values co and c3 are equal to 1.0 and
0.0.
Diffusion, u = 0.0
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20

0.0.
Central difference fx ce = (cP + cE)/2 and u = 0.1
pvn@civil.auc.dk
21

Central difference fx ce = (cP + cE)/2 and u = 3.0
Wiggly for
Pe =
xu
c
larger than 2
pvn@civil.auc.dk
22
History and Numerical Schemes, 1

The sixties
The central difference scheme becomes unstable (wiggly)
when the Peclet number is large. The cure is to decrease
the grid size.
The seventies
Upwind difference opened the way for infinitely high
Reynolds numbers, but false diffusion could in many
cases be larger than diffusion of physical kind.
The eighties and the nineties
Second order schemes decreased the effect of false diffusion.
pvn@civil.auc.dk
23
Imperial College and the Upwind

Scheme
The upwind scheme was among

others invented by Imperial College
in the late sixties.
pvn@civil.auc.dk
24
Upwind Scheme
pvn@civil.auc.dk
25

0.0.
Upwind scheme fx ce = cP and u = 3.0
pvn@civil.auc.dk
26

The sixties
the grid size.
The seventies
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27
False
Diffusion
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28
Second-Order
Upwind Scheme
Second-order discretization error.

Unbounded (e-value can be larger than W, P, E-values).
Non-physical wiggles may occur.
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29
Higher Order Schemes

Second order upwind scheme is an example of a new
scheme developed in the middle of the seventies.
The one-dimensional case with the velocity u = 3.0 and
1st and 2nd order upwind scheme
pvn@civil.auc.dk
30
False Diffusion and Order of the

Schemes
Flow from an opening, which is
inclined at ~30 deg. to the mesh.
Three-dimensional flow.
Profile at the upper surface at a
distance of 1 m from the opening.
Dispersive error
Diffusive error
pvn@civil.auc.dk Svidt
31

The sixties
the grid size.
The seventies
pvn@civil.auc.dk
32

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
33
Boundary Conditions
Wall boundary
Free boundary
Plane of symmetry
Air supply opening
Air exit opening
Obstacle boundary
Air supply opening
pvn@civil.auc.dk
34

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
35
Quality Control
Quality control consists of these major steps:
- recognize possible sources of errors,
- check for them in your own simulations,
- estimate the accuracy of the simulations,
- improve the simulations, if possible.
Main items in this chapter are:
- Steps in a CFD simulation
- Sources of errors and uncertainties
- How to ensure high quality predictions
(recommendations)
- Questions to ask the CFD engineer about
the work reported
- Additional advice and remarks
- A short check list
pvn@civil.auc.dk
36
Quality Control, Sources of Errors and

Uncertainties
Some examples: 2D treatment instead of 3D
Simplification, modelling level
pvn@civil.auc.dk
37
Cell Quality
Monitoring velocities
Versus number of cells
in the prediction
pvn@civil.auc.dk
38
Cell Quality
pvn@civil.auc.dk
39
Turbulence Model
3D wall jet in a room simulated by a k-epsilon Model
and a Reynolds Stress Model.
Schlin and Nielsen

pvn@civil.auc.dk
40
pvn@civil.auc.dk
41

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
42
CFD Combined with other Prediction

Models
pvn@civil.auc.dk
43
The Regional Library of Northern Jutland

The Regional Library of Northern Jutland is used as a test
building where a combination of BEPS and CFD is used for
prediction of energy consumption and indoor climate.
=
pvn@civil.auc.dk
44
Contaminant Distribution
pvn@civil.auc.dk
45

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
46
Application of CFD Codes in Building

Design
The applications of CFD in buildings may be grouped under the
following headings:
Prediction of air jet diffusion
Room air movement analysis
Prediction of contaminant dispersal
Modelling emission from materials and equipment in buildings
Indoor air quality prediction
Thermal comfort assessment
Mean age of air and ventilation effectiveness predictions
Prediction of fire and smoke spread
Wind flow around buildings
pvn@civil.auc.dk
47

Turbulence models
Numerical methods
Boundary conditions
Quality control
Case studies
Benchmark tests
pvn@civil.auc.dk
48
Case studies on Different Air

Distribution Systems
Five air distribution systems are compared with each other.
They are all installed in the same room, and they all
handle the same situation and the same load.
Mixing ventilation with end wall
mounted diffuser. Return
opening below the supply.
Vertical ventilation with a textile
terminal. End wall mounted return
opening at floor level.
Displacement ventilation. End
wall mounted low velocity
diffuser. End wall mounted return
opening below ceiling.
Mixing ventilation generated by
a ceiling mounted radial
diffuser. End wall mounted return
opening below ceiling.
pvn@civil.auc.dk
49
The Test Room
The test room is the IEA Annex 20 room with length, width and
height equal to 4.2 m, 3.6 m and 2.5 m.
The heat load consists of two PCs, two desk lamps and two
manikins producing a total heat load of 480 W. One work place
is used in some of the experiments (240 W).
pvn@civil.auc.dk
50
CFD Model
Radiation is ignored
Convection is estimate to
be 50 % of total heat flux
Wall, ceiling and floor
Surface temperature
Mannequins, PCs and lamps
Fixed heat flux
pvn@civil.auc.dk
51
Case Study, Mixing Ventilation with

Wall Mounted ATD
pvn@civil.auc.dk
52
Simulation of the Diffuser
pvn@civil.auc.dk
53
Mixing Ventilation with End Wall

Mounted Diffuser
pvn@civil.auc.dk
54
Case Study, Vertical Ventilation
pvn@civil.auc.dk
55
Vertical Ventilation
Radiation ignored, plane-symmetrical solution domain used.

(Stratified flow = plane-symmetrical flow, Momentum driven flow may give unsymmetrical flow)
Observations
Measurements
pvn@civil.auc.dk
56
Vertical Ventilation, Diffuser
pvn@civil.auc.dk
57
Vertical Ventilation, Diffuser

1st order steady state equations, k- turbulence model,
300,000 cells
pvn@civil.auc.dk
58
BC: Diffuser F
pvn@civil.auc.dk
59
Vertical Ventilation, Quality Control

Monitoring points
Velocity in
y-direction
pvn@civil.auc.dk
60
Predictions in the whole
room
n = 5 h-1
218.400 grid points
pvn@civil.auc.dk
61
Case Study, Displacement Ventilation
pvn@civil.auc.dk
62
Diffuser for Displacement Ventilation
Non-prepenticular flow must be compensated

in flow area to ensure fixed flow
A/cos
pvn@civil.auc.dk
63
Displacement Ventilation
1st order steady state equations, k- turbulence model,
220,000 cells,
Radiation ignored, plane-symmetrical solution domain used.
(Stratified flow = plane-symmetrical flow, Momentum driven flow may give unsymmetrical flow)
Grid convergence
Monitorpunkt 1
Monitorpunkt 2
Monitorpunkt 3
Monitorpunkt 4
40
Fejl i forhold til mlte vrdier [%]
35
30
25
20
15
10
0
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
Antal netpunkter
pvn@civil.auc.dk
64
250000
Case:
c
pvn@civil.auc.dk
65
Case:
d
pvn@civil.auc.dk
66
Case Study, Mixing Ventilation with

Ceiling Mounted ATD
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67
Mixing Ventilation with Ceiling Diffuser,

Diffuser Models
4-way diffuser
Fixed-flow diffuser
Diffuser with
horizontal surface
pvn@civil.auc.dk
68
Diffuser Models
Measurements
4-way diffuser
pvn@civil.auc.dk
69
Diffuser Models
Fixed-flow diffuser
Diffuser with horizontal

surface
pvn@civil.auc.dk
70
CFD Simulations
Temperatures
pvn@civil.auc.dk
71
CFD Simulations
Maximum velocity at 1.80 m

(top boundary of the occupied zone)
pvn@civil.auc.dk
72
Steady and/or Transient Flow

Measurements in ceiling region
n = 6.02 h-1
n = 3.25 h-1
pvn@civil.auc.dk
73
Simulation of
Transient Flow
(Time Dependent Equations)
y-velocity at 1.80 m
y-velocity at
different positions
n = 3.25 h-1
pvn@civil.auc.dk
74
Direct Description of a Diffuser, 1
Diffuser
Rectangular cells
and multigrid
structure, case 1
pvn@civil.auc.dk
Unstructured grid,
case 2
75
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76

CFD simulation
of the diffuser
based on fine
unstructured grid.
Prediction based on
the PV method. Velocity
values are given from
the diffuser simulation.
Kondo et al
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77
Literature
P. V. Nielsen, The Selection of Turbulence Models for Prediction of Room Airflow. ASHRAE Transactions. 1998; Vol. 104, Part 1B. pp. 1119-1127.
P. V. Nielsen, Indoor Climate Modelling, Chapter in: Per Erik Nilsson, Achieving the Desired Indoor Climate Energy Efficiency
Aspects of System Design. The Commtech Group, Studentlitteratur, Lund, 2003.
D. N. Srensen and P. V. Nielsen, Quality Control of Computational Fluid Dynamics in Indoor Environments. International Journal
of Indoor Environment and Health, Vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 2-17, March 2003.
A. Schlin and P. V. Nielsen, Impact of Turbulence Anisotropy near Walls in Room Air Flow. Indoor Air, International Journal of
Indoor Environment and Health, Vol. 14, No. 3, pp. 159-168, 2004.
P. V. Nielsen, A. Restivo and J. H. Whitelaw, Buoyancy-Affected Flows in Ventilated Rooms, Numerical Heat Transfer, Vol. 2, 1979.
B. Bjerg, K. Svidt, G. Zhang, S. Morsing, J.O. Johnsen, Modeling of air inlets in CFD prediction of airflow in ventilated animal
houses, Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 34, 223235, 2002
P. V. Nielsen, The Description of Supply Openings in Numerical Models for Room Air Distribution. ASHRAE Transactions, Vol. 98,
Part 1, 1992.
P. V. Nielsen, The Box Method - A Practical Procedure for Introduction of an Air Terminal Device in CFD Calculation. - Aalborg:
AAU, 1997. - 15 p. (R9744. - ISSN: 1395-7953).
P. V. Nielsen, The Prescribed Velocity Method - A Practical Procedure for Introduction of an Air Terminal Device in CFD Calculation.
- Aalborg: AAU, 1998. - 13 p. (R9827. - ISSN: 1395-7953).
Bjerg B., Svidt K., Morsing S., Zhang G, Comparion of Methods to Model a Wall Inlet in Numerical Simulation of Airflow in Livestock
Rooms, Proceedings of AgEng2000, International Conference on agricultural engineering, Warwick, UK, 2000.
L. Davidson, P. V. Nielsen and A. Sveningsson, Modifications of the Model for Computing the Flow in a 3D Wall Jet. Submitted to
THMT-03, International Symposium on Turbulence, Heat and Mass Transfer, October 12 17, 2003, Antalya, Turkey.
L. Davidson, P. V. Nielsen and C. Topp, Low-Reynolds Number Effects in Ventilated Rooms: A Numerical Study. In: Proceedings of
ROOMVENT 2000, Reading, 2000.
pvn@civil.auc.dk
78

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