Enhancing Indoor Environmental Simulations: A Comprehensive Review of CFD Methods

Abstract

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are extensively used to model indoor environments, including airflow patterns, temperature distribution, and contaminant dispersion. These simulations provide valuable insights for improving indoor air quality, enhancing thermal comfort, optimizing energy efficiency, and informing design decisions. The recent global pandemic has emphasized the importance of understanding airflow patterns and particle dispersion in indoor spaces, highlighting the potential of CFD simulations to guide strategies for improving indoor air quality and public health. Consequently, there has been a significant increase in research focused on studying the transport and dispersion of pollutants in indoor environments using CFD techniques. These simulations are vital in advancing engineers' understanding of indoor environments; however, achieving accurate results requires careful method selection and proper implementation of each step. This paper aims to review the state-of-the-art CFD simulations of indoor environments, specifically focusing on strategies employed for three main simulation components: geometry and grid generation, ventilation strategies, and turbulence model selection. Researchers can select suitable techniques for their specific applications by comparing different indoor airflow simulation strategies.