Numerical Analysis of the Heat and Mass Transfer in a Ventilated Cavity for Turbulent Convective Flow With Extreme Hot and Humid Climate Conditions

Abstract

To analyze the temperature and relative humidity (RH) in a room located in the Lacandona jungle in Chiapas, Mexico, a numerical heat and mass transfer study was performed. The study was carried out in a ventilated cavity, by introducing air flow into user-occupied spaces. The study analyzed the combination of temperature and humidity percentage to create thermal comfort conditions. The finite volume method was used to solve the governing equations, while pressure–velocity coupling was done with the SIMPLEC algorithm. Turbulent airflow was considered, and modeled using the k–ε turbulence model, with Reynolds numbers (Re) in the range from 100 to 5000. Seven sets of weather conditions were considered for a warm April day with solar radiation values that ranged from 0 to 981 W/m², outdoor temperatures between 19.9°C and 35.3°C, as well as RH from 42% up to 100%. The study analyzed temperature, RH, distribution efficiencies, and heat fluxes. It was found that the average temperature closest to thermal comfort was 25.8°C. This corresponds to an Re = 5000, being the best hygrothermal conditions with an average RH of 50%. However, this level of RH is unattainable by many air conditioning systems.