Microflo

CFD simulation system for assessing building airflow, air quality and thermal performance. Microflo solves the 3D non-isothermal continuity, momentum, energy and species conservation equations incorporating the k-e turbulence model using finite difference method. Microflo is part of the IES Virtual Environment by which the CFD simulation is coupled dynamically with the full building thermal simulation. The difference in time constants between the building structures and air volumes is handled based on the integrated approach concept.

Keywords

CFD, airflow, air quality, thermal performance

Validation/Testing

N/A

Expertise Required

Virtually no expertise required, although the knowledge of CFD, environmental physics of buildings will be beneficial.

Users

Many throughout the UK, Europe, Australia & USA.

Audience

Architects, builders, property managers, engineers, researchers, students, energy consultants.

Input

High level of graphical user interface provided for pre-processing including creating 3D models, mesh generating, defining boundary conditions, run monitoring, and batch control.

Output

Extensive graphical post-processing tools provided including displaying results in coloured cut-plane for any selected variables, 3D arrows with variable colouring, animated airflow streamlines, 3D animation, flying through, and photomontage.

Computer Platform

CPU: Intel Pentium 4 1.4 GHz+, or AMD Athlon 1400+ CPU Faster processors strongly recommended for frequent use of detailed simulation modules such as Radiance and APACHE-sim.

Memory: 512 Mb fast RAM (266Mhz+)

Hard Drive: 500 Mb free for installation, 1Gb free for Project data. Annual thermal simulation results for large models can produce large data files e.g. larger than 50 MB.

Optical Drive: CDRW, enabling large projects to be securely backed up.

Video Card: OpenGL compatible video card with 128 Mb RAM. Suggest GEForce or Radeon based cards.

Operating System: Windows 2000/XP.

Minimum screen resolution - 1024 x 768 pixels.

Programming Language

C++, Visual Basic, Fortran

Strengths

Easy to use. Capable of modelling conjugated heat transfer and airflow, particle dispersion and settling within and outside of buildings of any complexity. The capability is further enhanced by the Integrated Data Model (IDM), which enables the CFD to be integrated as part of the integral simulations of lighting, natural ventilation and building energy.

Weaknesses

Currently only orthogonal objects can be used due to the restriction of Cartesian co-ordinate system. Non-orthogonal objects (e.g. cylinders, sphere, pyramid, polygons) will automatically be discretised into orthogonal prisms during the mesh generation.

Contact

Availability

Contact IES at the above address or visit the web site.

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