Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/R70637/02
Title:	AIRFLOW PERFORMANCE OF VENTILATORS
Principal Investigator:	Sharples, Professor S
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Department:	Architectural Studies
Organisation:	University of Sheffield
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 February 2005	Ends:	30 September 2005	Value (£):	15,282
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Building Ops & Management
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Construction
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The use of natural ventilation systems in buildings is seen as one approach to reducing the environmental impact of buildings. However, the design natural ventilation systems is complicated by the fact that the driving forces for natural ventilation (wind and buoyancy) are normally very weak. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that the ventilator openings in buildings that provide the natural airflows operate as efficiently as possible. A rec BRE survey of ventilators suggested that airflow performance was influenced not only by the free area of the individual ventilator, but also by the different components integrated within the ventilator. Such components include flow path geometries, insect and bird meshes and acoustic linings.This project would investigate, through parametric experimental and CFD analyses, the interactions between the various elements within a ventilator and the subsequent impact on airflow performance. The main aim of the study is to reach a better understanding of these interactions with a view to improving the design and perfomance of ventilators for use in naturally ventilated buildings. A second aim is to establish if CFD can be used as a reliable design tool by ventilator manufacturers. Finally, the project would represent a fundamental study of airflow through different openings, and would contribute to the debate on the most appropriate mathematical approach to describing airflow through openings.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.shef.ac.uk