Thermal Characteristics Simulation of an Energy-Conserving Facade: Water Flow Window

Yuanli Lyu, Sihui Chen, Can Liu, Jun Li, Chunying Li and Hua Su
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Yuanli Lyu: Department of Civil, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610097, China
Sihui Chen: Department of Civil, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610097, China
Can Liu: Department of Civil, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610097, China
Jun Li: Department of Civil, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610097, China
Chunying Li: BenYuan Design and Research Center, School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
Hua Su: Department of Civil, Architecture and Environment, Xihua University, Chengdu 610097, China

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 5, 1-22

Abstract: In this paper, a 3D numerical simulation was completed to explore the thermal characteristics in a water flow window in-depth. CFD was used to carry out the analysis on top of successful validation. By changing the solar intensity, water supply temperature and velocity, the temperature distribution and flow field in the window cavity, as well as the water heat gain, were analyzed and compared. This is meaningful for improving the energy-conserving performance in building applications. Simulation results reveal that the variation of solar intensity and water supply temperature affects directly the temperature distribution and the water heat gain but has little impact on the overall velocity field. Local vortices are generated in the window cavity, and their formation and location are largely affected by the varied temperature rise in the water layer. The water heat gain increases and then decreases with the increase in water supply velocity. In addition, a large-enough water supply velocity can disorder the uniform upward flow. These are detrimental to effective thermal extraction. Therefore, in practical application, the vortex should be eliminated, and the flow velocity should be determined properly to maximize the water heat gain.

Keywords: water flow window; temperature distribution; flow field; energy conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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