Lattice Boltzmann Simulation of Airflow and Heat Transfer in a Model Ward of a Hospital

Abstract

In this research, a very popular alternative computational technique, the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM), has been used to simulate the indoor airflow and heat transfer in a model hospital ward. Different Reynolds numbers have been used to study the airflow pattern. Boundary conditions for velocity and temperature have also been discussed in detail. Several tests have been conducted for code validation. LBM is demonstrated through simulation in forced convection inside hospital ward with six beds for two different situations: ward without partition and ward with partition. Changes in average rate of heat transfer in terms of average Nusselt numbers have also been recorded for those situations. Average Nusselt numbers were found to differ for different cases. In terms of airflow, it has been found that, for various Reynolds numbers, airflow changes its pattern and leads to few recirculations for relatively higher Reynolds number but remains steady for low Reynolds number. It was observed that partition narrowed the channel for airflow and once the air overcame this barrier, it gets free space and recirculation appears more. For higher Reynolds number, the average rate of heat transfer increases and patients near the recirculation zone release maximum heat and will feel more comfortable.