Prediction of Air Flow in a Cinema under Different Diffuser Location

Abstract

The utilization of different types of air distribution systems in the installation of building air conditioners has a positive impact on effective cooling. This effort is also capable of enhancing the internal environmental quality and the welfare of the occupants. A numerical method employing a 3D model using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) investigates the airflow temperature and velocity distribution in an air-conditioned cinema or theater. Numerical simulations are executed using the commercial CFD software ANSYS Fluent. This study aims to predict and identify the flow characteristics, temperature and velocity distribution of the current overhead air diffuser system (OHAD) and the new arrangement of the underfloor air diffuser system (UFAD) in an air conditioning system. In the system evaluation, both the OHAD and UFAD systems were modeled and compared. The results indicated that the use of the CFD numerical technique can accurately predict the airflow temperature and velocity distribution in the conditioned space of a cinema. Furthermore, the UFAD system was capable of creating smaller vertical variations in air temperature and a more comfortable environment than the OHAD system under the supply temperature and velocity of 18 °C and 0.8 m/s. The highest temperature achievable using the UFAD system was 22 °C, falling within Malaysia's ASHRAE standard recommendation of 18 - 27°C.