journal article·2025-02-21Open access

Experimental Studies and Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations to Evaluate the Characteristics of the Air Velocity Profile Generated by the Positive Pressure Ventilator

Piotr Kaczmarzyk, Bartosz Ziegler, Łukasz Warguła, Tomasz Burdzy, Tomasz Popielarczyk, Tomasz Sowa, Piotr Antosiewicz

Applied Sciences· Volume 15· Issue 5

Abstract

Determining the appropriate position of a positive pressure ventilator, where it exhibits the highest efficiency (measured by the achieved volumetric flow rate), can influence the success of rescue operations conducted by fire protection units. The aim of this article is to evaluate the possibility of using LES (Large Eddy Simulation) analyses to verify the positioning parameters of positive pressure ventilators in numerical simulation conditions, without the need for time-consuming experiments. The article presents a comparative analysis of full-scale experimental studies (conducted on a test setup to assess the velocity profile of the air jet in open flow) and CFD numerical analyses. The analysis confirmed the convergence of the flow rate parameter entering the surface of the door opening model installed on the test setup. Depending on the distance of the ventilator position (1–7 m), a convergence degree ranging from 1.6% to 3.8% was achieved for the volumetric flow rate. This publication demonstrates that the LES model is a suitable tool for effectively determining the working positions of positive pressure ventilators, as defined in real working conditions (open flow). The analysis may serve as a helpful tool for manufacturers of mobile ventilators, who can use the method for the technological testing of their units without conducting time-consuming experiments.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies · Aerodynamics and Fluid Dynamics Research · Wind and Air Flow Studies

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Scientific and Research Centre for Fire Protection, National Research Institute, 05-420 Józefów, Poland

Faculty of Environmental and Energy Engineering, Institute of Thermal Energy, Poznań University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, Poland

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Institute of Machine Design, Poznań University of Technology, 60-965 Poznań, Poland

Faculty of Civil Engineering and Resource Management, Department of Environmental Engineering, AGH University of Krakow, 30-059 Krakow, Poland

Building Research Institute (ITB), 00-611 Warsaw, Poland

Funding

Ministry of Science and Higher Education

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