Objective: The objective of this project was to verify the design of a ventilation system for the basement car parking area using CFD. The specific aim is to find the optimal locations, number & configuration of the induction fans required for the ventilation of the car parking lot, for the given positions of inlets and exhaust, and given configuration of the Supply air fans & exhaust fans, such that it meets requirements of CO exposure limit set by health & safety regulations and also to check whether it meets the sufficient visibility & temperatures in case of fire.
Technical Challenge: The acceptance contaminant level criterion for parking garages is specified in ASHRAE 2007 handbook. According to ASHRAE, the main criterion for car parks is that the carbon monoxide levels should remain below a designated peak value.
Engineering Solution: The mathematical modelling using CFD can be developed which would simulate the actual behavior of the system. At first the analysis was done without placing any jet fans. This provides an indication of the stagnant areas in the car park. The subsequent analysis is done with jet fans operating so as to remove the stagnant areas , to reduce the concentrations of CO and to remove smoke in case of fire.
Results and Conclusion:
- The CO concentrations from the CFD simulations, without using induction fans has been obtained as 167.5 ppm which is higher than the safe CO limit for human beings.
- After conducting CFD analysis by placing and optimizing the jet fans in the car park area, maximum CO level found to be as 27.8 ppm (33.36 mg/m3), which is with in safe CO limit for humans.
- Ventilation System in the car park area has been designed optimally to reduce the CO level within the acceptable limits.
Velocity Vectors with Jet fans at 1.7 m
Simulation Experts 