EVALUATING THE PERFORMANCE OF A LOW-REYNOLDS-NUMBER TURBULENCE MODEL FOR DESCRIBING MIXED-FLOW AIRSPEED AND TEMPERATURE DISTRIBUTIONS

The effectiveness of a three-dimensional mired-flow turbulence model d escribing airspeed and temperature distribution ina laboratory scale s lot-ventilated chamber was evaluated. Airspeed and temperature profile s were investigated near the inlet jet region and along an axial line extending from the inlet. The observed jet-floor impingement location was accurately predicted, with a maximum difference of 18% (Delta x/L = 0.18). Average building temperature as a function of the inlet corre cted Archimedes Number was also accurately predicted. Differences betw een measured and predicted values were 5.0% or less. Airspeed and temp erature profiles near the inlet and along an axial line from the inlet were compared and large localized errors were found.