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Comprehensive study of the impacts of surrounding structures on the aero-dynamic performance and flow characteristics of an outdoor unit of split-type air conditioner

Building Simulation volume 11, pages 325–337 (2018)Cite this article

Abstract

Current paper numerically investigated the effect of three main surrounding structures (exhaust grille, deflecting-ring, and heat exchanger) on airflow characteristics passing through the outdoor unit of split-type air conditioner. Characteristic curves of the fan were obtained, and then simulation results were successfully validated compared to experimental data. Three types of grilles (a circular grille, a rectangular grille, and a proposed novel grille) were evaluated and comprised with two parameters of non-dimensional aero-dynamic and air throw distances. Results indicated the superiority of proposed grille and circular grille, respectively in two mentioned parameters. Increment of the deflecting-ring’s width increased the non-dimensional aero-dynamic performance, the efficiency, and the turbulence intensity and vice versa. Decrement of deflecting ring’s width led to decreasing in these parameters except turbulence intensity. Besides, condenser blockage made a decrease in the non-dimensional aero-dynamic performance and increase in the total pressure coefficient.

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Acknowledgements

The first author is grateful to Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran for its financial support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Young Researchers and Elite Club, Yasooj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Yasooj, Iran

    S. A. M. Mehryan

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, K. N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

    Farshad M. Kashkooli & M. Soltani

  3. HVAC&R Management Research Center, Niroo Research Institute, Tehran, Iran

    Farshad M. Kashkooli & M. Soltani

  4. Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    M. Soltani

  5. Waterloo Institute for sustainable energy (WISE), Waterloo University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

    M. Soltani

Authors
  1. S. A. M. Mehryan
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  2. Farshad M. Kashkooli
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  3. M. Soltani
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Correspondence to M. Soltani.

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Mehryan, S.A.M., Kashkooli, F.M. & Soltani, M. Comprehensive study of the impacts of surrounding structures on the aero-dynamic performance and flow characteristics of an outdoor unit of split-type air conditioner. Build. Simul. 11, 325–337 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-017-0398-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-017-0398-4

Keywords

  • outdoor unit of split-type air conditioner
  • axial-flow fan
  • grille
  • air throw distance
  • deflecting-ring’s width
  • condenser obstruction