Blocked natural ventilation: the effect of a source mass flux

Abstract

We analyse the density evolution of fluid within a confined ventilated space resulting from the action of a dense turbulent plume originating at the top of the space with finite source volume flux, , the natural exchange flow becomes blocked and a steady outflow through both of the openings develops. As a result, the density of the fluid throughout the room gradually evolves towards the density of the incoming dense fluid. We compare our theoretical predictions with a series of laboratory experiments, and discuss the implications of our model for the design of ventilation systems.