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
