Abstract
The airflow characteristics of an air-conditioning duct with multiple diffusers were investigated through one-dimensional analysis, CFD simulation and experimental measurement. One-dimensional program based on Bernoulli's equation and minor loss equations was developed in order to evaluate the air distribution rate at each diffuser. In CFD simulation, three-dimensional flow characteristics inside air-conditioning duct were computed for incompressible viscous flow, adopting the RNG k-$\xi$turbulence model. Also, in an effort to equalize the discharge flow rate at each outlet, the optimization procedure has been performed to obtain the optimum diffuser area. In this process, square of difference between maximum discharge rate and minimum discharge rate is used as an object function. Diffuser area and discharge velocity are established as constraints. After optimization process, determined design variables are applied again in CFD simulation and experiment to validate the optimized result by one-dimensional program. Comparison with the experimental data of airflow rate distribution showed that the developed program seems to be acceptable and can be useful design tool for an automotive air-conditioning duct in an initial design stage.