Abstract
In Algeria, the residential sector registries a high rate of energy consumption which requires an important action for rationalizing this charge and integrating renewable energies. Partic- ularly, the geothermal energy with its less intermittence presents an attractive candidate to reinforce energy-saving and building thermal comfort. In this paper, geothermal energy is used to create a favorable environment for creating a better life inside a semi-buried build- ing during the very hot period in the desert climate of southern Algeria. The cooled room is buried in rocky soil until 3 m depth, and only 0.5 m of the room high is above the ground level. The upper parts of southern and northern room walls are provided by small windows for aeration and lighting purposes. Inside room the air flow is modeled by Navier-Stocks and energy equations. The computational domain is taken as 3D design, and the prediction of temperature is calculated by ANSYS-Fluent code. For the base case, at 2 m height, the indoor temperature fluctuates between 30 and 33°C which is in good concordance with experimental data. For reducing the indoor temperature, some simple design modifications are introduced and a small ventilation system is installed. The new results show that the indoor temperature does not exceed 25 °C at the height of 2 m, therefore the temperature for height between 2 and 3 m it fluctuates between 25 and 26 °C. This indoor thermal behavior ensures acceptable cooling with negligible electricity consumption.
Highlights
In arid hot climate of southern Algeria, the cooling of buildings needs a large energy amount to reach thermal comfort [1]
The thermal behavior of semi-underground room in a hot climate is examined by three-dimensional airflow simulation and experimental measurements of indoor temperature
The simulation results of the airflow in the base case of the semi-underground room are validated by the experimental data
Summary
In arid hot climate of southern Algeria, the cooling of buildings needs a large energy amount to reach thermal comfort [1]. [27] conducted a computational fluid-dynamic model that estimates the temperature and airflow in the building in realtime They have arrived at real energy savings that can be achieved based on the 3D monitoring by applying indoor climate control and the optimal design of air-conditioner. New building design is studied; it consists of a traditional residence in Metlili (Algeria) In this region, each residence contains a semi-buried room passively cooled by geothermal energy. The room thermal behavior is investigated numerically by a 3D mathematical model using CFD fluent code, the results are validated by the experimental measurements data This base case doesn’t achieve acceptable thermal comfort; some simple modifications are introduced in the room design to reduce the indoor temperature. Ε∆R : A correction factor (4 °C for horizontal and 0 °C for vehr0tical surfaces), IT: total solar radiation The internal temperatures of the glass window and walls situated above ground level (no buried room part)
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