Optimization of window opening, its position and heat source position to obtain maximum air exchange efficiency and heat transfer for a generic cross-ventilated room

Soma Kalia; Nibedita Mishra; Prakash Ghose; Vijay  Kumar Mishra

doi:10.18502/japh.v10i3.19593

Soma Kalia Department of Home Science, Ramadevi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, India
Nibedita Mishra Department of Home Science, Puri Women’s College, Ramadevi Women’s University, Bhubaneswar, India
Prakash Ghose School of Mechanical Engineering, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India
Vijay Kumar Mishra School of Mechanical Engineering, Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), Bhubaneswar, India

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/japh.v10i3.19593

Keywords: Ventilation; Computational fluid dynamics (CFD); Air exchange efficiency; Taguchi; Analysis of variance

Abstract

Introduction: Today, the natural ventilation is emphasized to minimize the energy consumption. It also helps to decrease interior temperatures and maintain internal humidity. In this work, the effect of the rear window opening (factor-1), its position (factor-2) and also the effect of the position of a heat source (factor-3) on Air Exchange Efficiency (AEE) and Heat Source Surface Temperature (HSST) is evaluated.

Materials and methods: The Taguchi Design of Experiment (DOE) is applied to shortlist nine simulations with different combinations of the levels for three factors. Then Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed and the responses (AEE & HSST) were recorded. The Signal-to- Noise (S/N) ratio values are evaluated separately for the responses and the rank table is prepared to see the impact of various factors for the best response value. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) analysis is performed to evaluate the impact percentage of the factors to obtain the best responses.

Results: From the mean S/N plots, the best and the worst combinations of levels of the factors for both responses are identified and then simulated. From the study, it is observed that the rear window opening and the window position has the highest and the lowest impact respectively to obtain the highest AEE. Similarly, the window position and the window opening have almost equal impact on lowering the HSST.

Conclusion: The study concludes that proper positioning of window and its opening can be evaluated to get the best AEE and to transfer the maximum heat from the heat source in the room.