Numerical prediction of thermo-aeraulic behavior for a cavity with internal linear heat source

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a promising way, nowadays, to predict the air ow in enclosures. As a result, the objective of this study is to assess the potential of CFD technique to predict the air ows driven by buoyancy in heated real-scale rooms. The numerical model is validated using experimental data for fullscale test rooms; therefore, the experimental set-up is rst presented. This is followed by the numerical model description, focusing on its principal elements: computational domain geometry, discretization, turbulence model, radiation model, and thermal boundary conditions. In addition, a simplied approach is proposed to integrate a heat source in CFD models: Term source homogeneously spread all over the volume of the heat source. Comprehensive experimental-numerical comparisons are presented in terms of heat transfer to the walls of the test room, heat source behavior, and plume development. The results show that the model developed in this study leads to realistic predictions. Finally, the simplied CFD description of heat sources developed here can be extrapolated for other congurations - dierent power, heat emission (convection/radiation), dimensions, and shape. Consequently, this method can be applied in detailed studies dealing with thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and energy consumption for heated rooms.