This content is not included in
your SAE MOBILUS subscription, or you are not logged in.
Evaluation of Cabin Comfort in Air Conditioned Buses Using CFD
Technical Paper
2014-01-0699
ISSN: 0148-7191, e-ISSN: 2688-3627
Annotation ability available
Sector:
Language:
English
Abstract
The objective of the work presented in this paper is to provide an overall CFD evaluation and optimization study of cabin climate control of air-conditioned (AC) city buses. Providing passengers with a comfortable experience is one of the focal point of any bus manufacturer. However, detailed evaluation through testing alone is difficult and not possible during vehicle development. With increasing travel needs and continuous focus on improving passenger experience, CFD supplemented by testing plays an important role in assessing the cabin comfort. The focus of the study is to evaluate the effect of size, shape and number of free-flow and overhead vents on flow distribution inside the cabin.
Numerical simulations were carried out using a commercially available CFD code, Fluent®. Realizable k - ε RANS turbulence model was used to model turbulence. Airflow results from numerical simulation were compared with the testing results to evaluate the reliability. Qualitative parameters such as mean Age of Air (AOA), Broadband Noise model, and Human Thermal Comfort Module (PMV/PPD) were used to gain deeper insight into the problem. Results of this study provide a valuable reference for designing a ventilation system of vehicles of mass transportation, to achieve balance between passenger comfort and energy conservation for air-conditioning unit.
Recommended Content
Authors
Topic
Citation
Pawar, S., Gade, U., Dixit, A., Tadigadapa, S. et al., "Evaluation of Cabin Comfort in Air Conditioned Buses Using CFD," SAE Technical Paper 2014-01-0699, 2014, https://doi.org/10.4271/2014-01-0699.Also In
References
- Tzu-Ping , Ruey-Lung Hwang , Huang Kuo-Tsang , Sun Chen-Yi et al. Passenger thermal perception, thermal comfort requirements, and adaptations in short- and long-haul vehicles Int. J. Biometeorol 2010 54 221 230 10.1007/s00484-009-0273-9
- Ansys Fluent Theory Guide Ansys Inc 2010
- Shin , S. , Jeong , B. , and Lim , S. A Study on Design Factors for the Air Ventilating System of Highway Express Buses SAE Technical Paper 2006-01-3455 2006 10.4271/2006-01-3455
- Standard, B. ASHRAE Standard 62.1-2004 Ventilation for acceptable indoor air quality 2004
- Conceição , E. Z. E. , Silva M. C. G. , and Viegas D. X. Airflow around a passenger seated in a bus HVAC&R Research 3 4 1997 311 323
- Sandberg Mats , Sjöberg Mats The use of moments for assessing air quality in ventilated rooms Building and Environment 18 4 181 197 10.1016/j.bbr.2011.03.031
- Bartak , M. , Cermak , M. , Clarke , J.A. , Denev , J. et al. Experimental and numerical study of local mean age of air Proceedings of the 7th International Building Performance Simulation Association Conference 2001 85-901939-3-4
- Norton , Tomas , Grant Jim , Fallon Richard , and Sun Da-Wen Assessing the ventilation effectiveness of naturally ventilated livestock buildings under wind dominated conditions using computational fluid dynamics Biosystems Engineering 103 1 2009 78 99
- Proudman I. The Generation of Noise by Isotropic Turbulence Proc. Roy. Soc. A214 119 1952
- Lilley G. M. The radiated noise from isotropic turbulence revisited NASA Contract Report 93-75 NASA Langley Research Center Hampton, VA 1993
- Curle N. The Influence of Solid Boundaries upon Aerodynamic Sound Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series A, Mathematical and Physical Sciences 231 505 514 1955
- Fanger , P. O. Thermal Comfort Copenhagen Danish Technical Press 1972
- Nilson H.O Comfort Climate Evaluation with Thermal Mannequin Methods and Computer Simulations Thesis Stockholm Byggvetenskap 2004
- ASHRAE Thermal Environmental Conditions for Human Occupancy Atlanta ASHRAE 2010
- ISO 7730 Moderate Thermal Environments - Determination of the PMV and PPD Indices and Specification of the Conditions for Thermal Comfort 1995
- Wu , Tateh , Clark Andrew D. , Mitchell Gary L. , Lin Chao-Hsin , and Horstman Raymond H. Application of CFD Predictions to Quantify Thermal Comfort for Indoor Environments