CFD simulation for enhancing heating room efficiency using a trombe wall.

Abstract

This research presents the effectiveness of a trombe wall on the heating of a living room using the Gambit design and fluent program. 2D computational fluid dynamic used to simulate the air velocity and temperature change in a room with dimensions (3 m × 4 m). In order to find the best grid size, a different size has been proposed 0.05, 0.01, 0.005, and 0.1 and compared. The proposed system have a three different configurations; Configuration I contains a simple room with a Trombe wall and the outlet opening located in the top wall. Configuration II contains a simple room with a Trombe wall and the outlet opening located in the bottom wall. Configuration III contains a simple room with a Trombe wall and the outlet opening located in the middle wall. The grid size test results show that (0.01) is most suitable for a best heat and velocity distribution. Moreover, it can be seen clearly that at the top, the air speed was fast and the efficiency of heat distribution was lower. The second level was in the middle at a lower speed than the first, and the third level was the opening at the bottom of the wall with better efficiency in heat distribution and the air ventilation speed was lower. The simulation results helped us to study the effect of the Trombe wall on heat retention and increasing heating inside the room with appropriate air outlet for more efficient heat diffusion. The minimum air velocity at the chamber outlet was found to be (1.92×10 -1 m/s) at the bottom.