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Windcatcher - Sustainable Cooling Using Ansys Fluent Software

The windcatcher, a traditional architectural feature from Persian design, offers a sustainable method of natural cooling and ventilation by harnessing wind and promoting passive air circulation. This centuries-old innovation, adapted for modern use, is analyzed in this study to understand its cooling efficiency and airflow dynamics through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations using Ansys Fluent®, a fluid simulation software. The study models a 1m³ windcatcher featuring angled louvers and a series of cold pipes arranged at the base. These pipes, maintained at a lower temperature, facilitate heat transfer, cooling incoming air as it flows through the windcatcher into a building's interior. The simulations focus on parameters such as mass flow, convective cooling, and buoyancy-driven airflow to quantify cooling effects.

Results from 2D and 3D visualizations demonstrate a significant reduction in air temperature as it spreads through space, with clear thermal gradients observed. The integration of cold pipes enhances passive cooling, creating a comfortable indoor environment without relying on energy-intensive mechanical systems. This study underscores the windcatcher's potential as an energy-efficient solution for sustainable building design, aligning ancient ingenuity with modern CFD analysis.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the principles of passive ventilation and how windcatchers utilize natural airflow and pressure differentials to promote cooling and ventilation without mechanical systems.
  • Apply simulation and modeling tools, such as Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), to design, analyze, and optimize windcatcher performance in various climates.
  • Analyze aerodynamic and fluid dynamics concepts related to windcatcher performance, such as airflow patterns, pressure variations, and heat exchange mechanisms.

Applicable Courses

  • Thermodynamics
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Heat Transfer
  • Sustainable Building Design
  • Environmental Systems
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics
  • Aerodynamics

Downloadable Content

  • Case Study pdf
  • simulation and mesh files
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