Measurement of 3-D flow structure around densely arranged out-door units of air conditioner

Abstract

Air flow field around narrowly arrayed out-door units of air conditioners is investigated experimentally under real-world operation conditions. The air flow velocities at the intake panels and exhaust ports of individual units are measured using hot-wire anemometry. The velocity data are analyzed upon Eulerian grid space to reconstruct the three-dimensional flow structure using Laplace equation for geometric interpolation and fluid dynamic laws to satisfy the equation of continuity. This approach enables the estimation of the recirculation rate of heated air into the intake planes, horizontal entrainment induced in the central region, and channel flows near the floor. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of sun-shading sheets, quantitatively assessing their advantages in shielding the air flow atop the units.

Keywords

• air conditioner
• out-door unit
• flow visualization
• hot-wire anemometry
• data assimilation