Computational fluid dynamics has a wide range of application in the study of room air distribution. The application is providing valuable guidance for those interested in such areas as comfort, productivity and sick building syndrome. This paper gives a comparative review of some of the work undertaken in the field and highlights some of the modelling assumptions noted within the literature.

In a crowded building space with no air conditioning, heat and moisture emissions from occupants can result in heat stress in the indoor environment, which in turn, causes thermal strain on the human body. In the present paper, a 61-node thermoregulation model is coupled with a thermal environment model of ventilated space to simulate both the thermal conditions and occupant's responses. The coupling model is validated with experimental data at high occupant density in a thermal environmental chamber.

A three-dimensional numerical model is used for a turbulent buoyant jet. The standard k-E model has been modified to focus on the buoyancy-production term. The usual and modified buoyancy production coefficients are used for comparisons with experimental data reported in the literature. Imported numerical results are obtained with the modified coefficient for the stack-exit velocities and temperatures. The effects of these parameters on flow characteristics are discussed.

A home with a poor duct system can't be energy efficient no matter how tight or well-insulated it is.

A study of test methods for duct leakage revealed that there is room for improvement in this evolving field.