Comparative analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional modeling of heat transfer during operation of a gas infrared heater indoor

Abstract

Relevance. It is proposed to heat local work areas with systems based on gas infrared heaters, capable of directing radiative heat flow to reduce heating costs in large premises. However, the widespread use of gas infrared heaters is hampered by the existing difficulties with the preliminary assessment of convective-radiative heat flows movement, on which the number and location of heating devices depends. The preliminary assessment is complicated by the need in some cases for 3D modeling of complex physical processes. It is necessary to evaluate the possibility of replacing labor-intensive 3D modeling with a method for calculating a heating system using gas infrared emitters based on a 2D approach to reduce the time spent on calculations. Aim. To prove that the use of a two-dimensional model of the processes under consideration makes it possible to obtain the main characteristics of the thermal regime of the premises, making it possible to replace spatial modeling. Objects. Heating system with a light-type gas infrared heater and an air exchange system. Methods. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional mathematical modeling of conjugate heat transfer processes using the finite element method. Mathematical modeling was carried out in the COMSOL Multiphysics software environment using the modules: “Heat Transfer Interface in Liquids”, “Radiation between Surfaces” and “Turbulent Flow, k-ε Interface”. Results. The article presents the results of mathematical modeling performed in three-dimensional and two-dimensional formulations. The distribution of temperatures in the air and enclosing structures, as well as the flow lines of heated air and air, which was heating, in the volume of the premise are presented. The results of two-dimensional and three-dimensional modeling were compared. Satisfactory similarity of the calculated average air temperatures in the local working area was established based on the results. The difference was less than 2℃ for different spatial modeling approaches.