Simulation of Heat, Mass, and Momentum Transfer Within Building Interiors

An hp finite element-based model has been developed to calculate heat, mass, and momentum transfer within rooms and building interiors. The hp-adaptive methodology is based on both mesh enrichment (h-adaptation) and spectral order incensement (p-adaptation) in an effort to produce accurate results with the least computational cost. A Lagrangian Particle Transport (LPT) technique is coupled with the adaptive scheme to simulate mass transport. The model is particularly amenable for depicting the transport of contaminants associated with indoor air quality. The hp-adaptive algorithm is validated using natural convection in a square enclosure. The model is subsequently applied to the simulation of momentum, heat, and mass transport within building interiors: air and temperature distribution patterns are presented along with potential pathways of a powder dispersing within an office.