Application of CFD to flow next to high-rise buildings in Hong Kong due to air-conditioner heat rejection

Abstract

This paper presents the results of several studies done for high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong that involved Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. During summer, a number of Window Air- Conditioners (WACs) could be rejecting condenser heat into a recessed space of these high-rise residential buildings. FLUENT 5.0, a CFD code can be used to predict temperatures and flow field of a powerful rising hot air stream formed in the recessed space. In these cases, for simulations, we use k–􀄰 turbulence model, and 2D and 3D model of the building. A CFD code can also be used to predict temperature and flow fields inside the recessed spaces that differ in heights and condenser-unit locations. The CFD code ‘FLUENT’ is also employed to predict the airflow patterns. The papers study the worst-case scenario in summer when all the WAC units reject condenser heat into this space.