Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer Induced by a Window Air Conditioner Unit and Associated Thermal Comfort

This study considers airflow simulations to evaluate the impact of different window air-conditioner locations on the thermal comfort in an office rooms (OR). This paper compares the air distribution for an office room by using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling. The air distribution was modeled for a typical office room window air conditioning unit, air supply from a high pressure on the top and the low pressure exhaust on the bottom considering the existing manufacturing ratios for surface areas. Calculations were done for steady-state conditions including an occupant and a light source. The discharge angle for the supply grill of the AC unit was varied from 20 to 40 degrees. The position of the air conditioner was also varied and studied at 60%, 75% and 90% of the total height of the room. In addition the location of the occupant within the office room was varied. Predictions of the air movement, room temperature, room relative humidity, comfort level, and distribution of contaminants within the office room are shown. Analysis of these simulations is discussed. The positions of the air-conditioner unit, the inlet angle and the occupant position in the office room have shown to have important impacts on air quality and thermal comfort. Results are in good agreement with available experimental data.