Comparison between near-floor and ceiling supply-air entry for GYM ventilation

Abstract

The paper is concerned with the ventilation and cooling of a typical gym environment, and compares the results obtained when supply-air is introduced from a bottom side-vent against those obtained when supply-air is introduced through the ceiling. The results are predicted employing a mathematical model comprising three-dimensional governing partial differential equations expressing balance of momentum in three Cartesian-coordinate directions, conservation of mixture and species mass, conservation of energy, and transport equations for the kinetic energy of turbulence and its rate of dissipation. The turbulence model employed is the ldquorenormalization grouprdquo derived ldquok-epsivrdquo model. Special attention is paid to the simulation of heat and pollutant releases from persons and exercise machines in order to make the predictions realistic. It is revealed that for the same energy expenditure, the bottom-side entry of the supply-air produces substantially superior air-quality to that of the conventional ceiling-entry.