Title: Experimental and computational studies of flow in a simplified HVAC duct

Authors: Chao-Hsin Lin, Taeyoung Han, V. Sumantran

Addresses: General Motors Research and Development Center, Box 9055 48090-9055, Warren, Michigan, USA. ' General Motors Research and Development Center, Box 9055 48090-9055, Warren, Michigan, USA. ' General Motors Research and Development Center, Box 9055 48090-9055, Warren, Michigan, USA

Abstract: The analysis of air flow in an automotive air-conditioning (A/C) duct is complicated by large cross-sectional area variations, abrupt changes in flow direction and flow maldistribution. In this study, the complex three-dimensional turbulent flow found in a generic A/C duct was investigated experimentally and computationally. Outlet flow split, exit velocity profile and surface pressure distribution along the duct were measured for use in validating computational flow capabilities. A three-dimensional Navier-Stokes code was utilized to predict the overall flow distribution and surface pressure. This work has validated the performance of the computer code for the overall flow prediction. The present study also identified the area of further improvements especially for the flow in regions of turbulent separation.

Keywords: experimental fluid mechanics; computational fluid mechanics; CFD; HVAC ducts; Navier-Stokes simulation; vehicle air conditioning; air conditioning ducts; 3D turbulent flow; outlet flow split; exit velocity profile; surface pressure distribution; Navier-Stokes.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1994.061913

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1994 Vol.15 No.1/2, pp.147 - 165

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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