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Computational fluid dynamics modeling of surface condensation

Article  in  Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering · July 2020
DOI: 10.1007/s40430-020-02430-2

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Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-020-02430-2

TECHNICAL PAPER

Computational fluid dynamics modeling of surface condensation

Deniz Yilmaz1 

Received: 9 August 2018 / Accepted: 23 May 2020

© The Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering 2020

Abstract
This study experimentally and numerically investigates the condensation problem, which is one of the most important
problems in chilled ceiling application. In a wide range of applications, including air-conditioning, drying, food storage,
airflow contact with surface and heat transfer occurs with a fluid through this surface. Since heat transfer is influenced by the
movement of both airflow and this fluid, it is important to solve a temperature field as well as a velocity field in all heating,
cooling and ventilation applications. Commercial package programs, which have been widely used in recent years, have
become “user-friendly” design tools that make it possible to find “location- and time-dependent” distributions of temperature.
Since these programs solve the “mass transport” equation in addition to the “momentum” and “energy” equations, it makes
it easy to examine the “moist air" which constitutes the scope of psychrometry. However, the “condensation on the cold
surface" encountered in most HVAC-R applications cannot be simulated directly with these programs. In order to introduce
the phase changes to this program, the user must write additional codes. In this study, the "user-defined function” module
of Ansys-Fluent® program was used to introduce the condensation to the program in terms of psychrometrics. In the study,
which was compared with experimental results, psychrometric equations were added as source term to mass transport and
energy equation. As a result, in the context of mass transport—energy balance relationship, it is possible to predict the psy-
chrometric critical values before the design by computational methods.

Keywords  Chilled ceiling · Cooling · Humidity · Condensation

1 Introduction
Today, as people spend a lot of time in the indoor environ-
ment, indoor air-conditioning is gaining more importance
every day. Due to the increase in the number of common
areas such as shopping malls, plazas, hospitals, meeting
halls and business centers, the need for controlled central
air-conditioning has become more important. Although con-
ventional systems provide controlled air-conditioning in the
environment, they do not create a healthy environment. Air
velocities blown from the vents and bacteria formed in the
moist areas in channels cause decrease in indoor air quality.
Additionally, the energy consumption of fans, high sound
levels and low thermal comfort due to the high velocity of
Technical Editor: Jose A. R. Parise.
* Deniz Yilmaz
denizyilmaz@arel.edu.tr
1
Mechanical Engineering Department, Istanbul AREL
University, Istanbul, Turkey
the supplied air and global warming caused by the use of
such systems have led researchers to seek alternative systems
such as chilled ceiling (CC) system. CC systems have been
preferred due to their quiet operation, high thermal comfort
and low energy costs. CC systems as an alternative to the
conventional system are a good research topic. The structure
of some old buildings and the historical resources show that
passive cooling (or heating) methods have been known and
used for a long time.
Beside its several advantages, condensation is a disadvan-
tage of the CC system applications that makes its practical
use difficult. Several methods can be used either to reduce
or to eliminate completely the risk of condensation on the
surface of the CC panel. One of the primary precautions to
avoid condensation is to keep the surface temperature of the
ceiling panels above the dew point temperature. This is the
simplest solution. It is possible to use a condensation sensor
to modulate the inlet temperature of the water in function of
the temperature and humidity of the outdoor air. However,
this reduces the thermal efficiency of the system. In spite

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 351   Page 2 of 12 Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351

of this, several studies have been conducted both to avoid Ansys-Fluent® program and condensation has been intro-
condensation and to increase the cooling capacity [1, 2]. duced to the program psychrometrically.
Other possible solutions are ventilation system and dehu-
midifying the air. In recent studies, it is seen that, a com-
bined system of chilled ceiling, displacement ventilation and 2 Experimental study
desiccant dehumidification are used together. It is feasible
to combine these three technologies in a hot and humid cli- The test room was made of plasterboard insulated by rock
mate. Haoa et al. compared the conventional all-air system wool. Selection of appropriate materials according to cli-
with combined chilled ceiling system; the combined system mate characteristics is very important in terms of energy sav-
saves 8.2% of total energy consumption with climatic condi- ings [23]. The dimensions of the room are 2.5 m (L) × 2.5 m
tion of Beijing. Moreover; the combined system reduces 62% (W) × 2.5 m (H). Three ceiling panels were installed into the
of electricity consumption used by a conventional system ceiling. The panels were 0.8 m (W) × 2.3 m (L) aluminum
operating under the same conditions [3]. To solve the issue profile with copper pipes mounted on them with magnetic
of dew condensation, there are many different application system. The panels are connected to each other by flexible
methods in the literature on the chilled ceiling system with pipes. The water circulating in the system was cooled by a
displacement ventilation [4–7]. chiller unit (Fig. 1).
Condensation of water vapor on surfaces is a complicated The room temperatures were measured using T-type
process, which depends on various factors including surface thermocouples in 12 different points, and moisture was
properties and environmental conditions. Tang et al. studied
the departure duration of condensate droplets from radiant
cooling ceiling surfaces. The simulation results indicate a
dependence of condensation water mass on the apparent
contact angle of the substrate, but almost no relation with
the surface temperature [8]. There are also detailed studies
on dropwise condensation in the literature [9–11]. Beside
these, in order to determine the amount of condensation on
the surface of ceiling panel, various studies have been car-
ried out [12, 13]. In some of the studies, laser technique
was used for measurement, so that the airflow would not be
affected. Data obtained from these studies show that there
is an important relationship between the condensation and
roughness of the surface [14–16]. Most of the numerical
studies are related to modeling condensation on surfaces
[17–20]. With regard to the amount of condensation over
the surface, the studies are insufficient. One of the studies
on modeling the condensation amount was performed by
Liu et al. [21]. They modeled the condensation numerically
by using a source at 70 °C, boiled the water in the ventilated
test room and compared it with the experimental results.
The results obtained were consistent with the experimental
results. Hohota et al. performed a similar study in a venti-
lated room for modeling the condensation in the room [22].
The biggest problem that limits the use of cold ceiling
applications, the use of which is becoming more common
every day, is the condensation on the cold ceiling surface.
In this study, the condensation on the cold ceiling surface
was numerically analyzed and confirmed by experiments.
Package programs used for computational fluid dynam-
ics are widely used today, but the “cold surface condensa-
tion” encountered in most HVAC-R applications cannot be
directly simulated with these programs. In order to model
the condensation, an additional code has been added to
the program with the user-defined functions module of the Fig. 1  Test room layout

13
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering
measured using humidity sensors in nine different points.
Humidity sensor is capable of measurement from 0 to
100% relative humidity (RH) with the accurate ± 2% RH
(10…95% RH), ± 3% RH (< 10% > 95% RH) which has a
response time of 30 s. The air and wall surface temperature
sensors were type T copper–constantan thermocouples
whose measurement range is from − 200 to 350 °C with
the accurate ± 1 °C.
Three thermocouples and humidity sensors were placed
closer to the ceiling, three of them were placed at the
center of the room and another three thermocouples and
humidity sensors were placed closer to the ground (Fig. 2,
Table 1). Additionally, two surface thermocouples were
placed in water inlet and water outlet point on the CC
panel. In this way, the ceiling temperature could be con-
trolled continuously and condensation is prevented. One of
the thermocouples has always been kept outside the room
to measure the ambient temperature.
Fig. 2  Sensor locations
Table 1  Locations of Sensor no. 1 2
thermocouples in the room
x (m) 2.48 0.02
y (m) 2.498 1.25
(2020) 42:351 Page 3 of 12  351
3 Numerical study
In order to examine the condensation on the ceiling, a numeri-
cal model was developed and verified by the experiments. In
a volume that is heated or cooled, in addition to the natural or
forced movement of air, the governing equations that represent
the distribution of water vapor in the air should also be solved.
These transport equations represent the conservation of mass,
momentum and energy. The transport equation written for the
water vapor in the air is solved together with these equations
as “conservation of components.” In recent years, the ease of
program use and increased computer speeds have made the
use of package program widespread for the solution of these
equations. However, as the source codes of these programs
are closed, it is not possible to get out of the general structure
of these equations [24]. The general structure of a governing
equation can be expressed as follows:
The change of the dependent variable with respect to time+
transportation of the dependent variable =
diffusion of the dependent variable+
production∕consumption of the dependent variable
(1)
For example, the sum of and the change in temperature with
respect to time for the energy equation and the convective heat
transfer will be equal to the sum of conductive heat transfer,
heat production and viscose dissipation. Numerically, the last
term of the right side of Eq. (1) is expressed by the source
term. If the dependent variable is expressed as φ, Eq. (1) will
be as follows:
D𝜑 ���⃗ ⃗
= ∇.∇𝜑 + SOURCE (2)
Dt
The terms representing pressure gradient and body forces
in momentum equation and also viscous dissipation and the
energy generation terms in the energy equation are the source
terms. Commercial software programs allow some of these
terms to be used in analyses. However, the source terms
which should be evaluated according to the characteristics of
the problem reduce the efficiency of commercial programs.
The analysis of evaporation and condensation in heating and
cooling applications should also be examined as such kind of
a problem.
Actually, almost all of the commercial programs can ana-
lyze two-phase flows. However, here the "two phases" are such
that the preformed phases flow together in a channel and the
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
1.25 0.02 1.25 1.25 0.02 2.48 2.48
2.498 2.498 1.25 0.1 0.1 1.25 0.1
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 351   Page 4 of 12 Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351

surface tensions that will be created through this flow can be Equation of momentum:
entered as a source term in the program. However, a new code
( )
is required for phase change. Phase change can be analyzed D 𝜌ui 𝜕p
[ (
𝜕ui 𝜕uj
) ]
𝜕
− 𝜌ui uj + 𝜌gi (4)
� �
under two topics: =− + 𝜇 +
Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xj 𝜕xj 𝜕xi
( )
1. In a two-phase flow, governing equations can be solved where −𝜌ui uj indicates turbulent shear stress, ui is the
� �

together or separately for both phases [25] and phase

change is entered as a source code for these equations. average velocity and ui′ is the turbulent fluctuating compo-
2. In heating and cooling applications, phase change is the nent of velocity.
condensation of water vapor in the air or the evapora-
tion of water in a moist volume. In this case, the source Energy equation:
term is within the equation of the conservation of com- ( ) ( )
D(𝜌cp T) 𝜕u 𝜕ui 𝜕uj ( )
ponents. In the psychrometric application, conservation =
𝜕
k
𝜕T
+𝜇 i + +
𝜕 �
−cp 𝜌ui T � + 𝜑t
Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xi 𝜕xj 𝜕xj 𝜕xi 𝜕xi
of components equation is the transport equation written
for air “specific humidity.” (5)
′
where T is the average temperature and T is the fluctuating
In Fluent®, an external code is required to be written in component of temperature.
both cases. As the subject of the study is psychrometric appli- Transport equation for the water vapor concentration:
cations, the second problem will be examined. ( ) ( )
D 𝜌ui C 𝜕 𝜕(𝜌C)
(6)
� �
= DAB − 𝜌ui C + Si
3.1 Solution methodology Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xi

In this study, since the fluid in the room is considered to

For numerical studies, a two-dimensional model was generated
be a mixture of “water vapor and air,” Boussinesq approach
in Ansys® and analyzed using the Fluent 15.0® commercial
is not applied. The second term on the right side of the
code. A grid distribution scheme is used to enable fine grids
energy equation is the heat diffusion flux, which is composed
near the wall and coarse grids away from the walls. The mesh
of two parts, namely molecular and turbulent. −cp 𝜌ui T � rep-
�
independence was studied by using meshes of 62,750, 97,832
and 250,325 cells from coarse to fine. The average room tem- resents turbulent heat flux, and 𝜙t is the turbulent dissipation.
perature was essentially the same (within the range of 0.2 °C) Similarly, the second term of the right side of the transport
for both solutions. Between the coarse and intermediate grids, equation is the mass diffusion flux, which also consists of
the difference in the average velocity was less than %3. An two parts, molecular and turbulent.
intermediate grid with 97,832 elements and a finer grid with The constitutive equation for the density variation
250,325 elements were also tested. Both the grids perform between Eqs. (3) and (6) is:
well. Thus, the 97,832 cells were chosen to reduce computa-
tion time.
Momentum and energy equations were selected as first-
order upwind approach. SIMPLE (Semi-Implicit Method for
Pressure-Linked Equations) algorithm was used for the iden-
tification of pressure area.

3.2 Mathematical models

In the present study, the governing equations below, which

model time-dependent turbulent natural convection of humid
air in an enclosed space, are solved:

Equation of continuity:
( )
𝜕𝜌 𝜕 𝜌ui
+ =0 (3)
𝜕t 𝜕xi

Fig. 3  Physical model and boundary conditions

13
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351 Page 5 of 12  351

Therefore, the flow is turbulent. The convection coefficient

in the numerical study is calculated on the basis of Newton’s
law of cooling using Eq. (9):

q̇ ��
h= (9)
(Ti − Ts )

where Ti is the wall temperature which is given as the bound-

ary condition in the analysis, Ts is the ceiling surface temper-
ature which is again the boundary condition in the analysis
and q̇″ is the heat flux calculated as a result of the analysis.
The convection coefficient in the experimental study is cal-
culated on the basis of the study performed by Mumma et al.
Fig. 4  Detail of “A” shown in Fig. 3 [26]. Accordingly, for the ambient temperature, Ta,
( )0.31
h = 2.13 Ta − Ts (10)
P
𝜌=
RT
∑ Yi (7) and using the characteristic length Lcc, which is the ceiling
length, Nusselt number is defined as follows:
Mw,i
i

where P is the overall pressure, M w,i is the molecular hLcc

weight of the components and Yi is the mass ratio of the Nu = (11)
k
components.
Rayleigh number is calculated as 4 × 109 using the for- The convection coefficient is calculated as 3.1 W/m2K and
mula below: 3.15 W/m2K using Eqs. (9) and (10), respectively, correspond-
ing to numerical and experimental results. Using the heat con-
g𝛽ΔTH 3
(8) vection coefficient obtained, Nusselt number is calculated to
Ra =
𝜈𝛼 be 217 on the basis of Eq. (11). When comparing the Nus-
selt–Rayleigh correlation (Nu = 0.15Ra1/3 = 237) [27] for the

Fig. 5  Moisture modeling without UDF

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 351   Page 6 of 12 Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351

Fig. 6  Moisture modeling with UDF

lower surface of a cooled plate with the Nusselt value in this 3.3 Boundary conditions
study, it was found to be quite close.
For modeling of the turbulence, various turbulent models Physical models and boundary conditions are as in Fig. 3.
(standard k–ε, RNG k–ε, standard k–ω, realizable k–ε, RSM) Constant temperature boundary condition is defined for
were analyzed and RNG k–ε model was selected as the model the right and left wall surfaces, the floor and top surface
with the highest level of consistency to experiment results. In of the ceiling. Heat transfer occurs in the locations where
this model, the transport equations for the turbulent kinetic ceiling panels touch the pipes. The temperature of cool-
energy and dissipation velocity are: ing water is given as the boundary condition. CC panels
[ ] are perforated. Therefore, holes on ceiling panels (0 < x < c
D(𝜌k) 𝜕 𝜕k
= 𝛼k 𝜇eff + Gk + Gb − 𝜌𝜀 (12) and c + b < x < 2c + b) are calculated as the porous surface
Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xi area and submitted to the Fluent® under the “porous-jump”
boundary condition. At locations, where the plates touch
[ ]
D(𝜌𝜀) 𝜕 𝜕𝜀 𝜀( ) 𝜀2 the panels on which the pipes are fixed (c < x < c + b), the
= 𝛼𝜀 𝜇eff + C1𝜀 Gk + C3𝜀 Gb − C2𝜀 𝜌 − R
Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xi k k constant chilled water temperature in the pipe is defined as
(13) the boundary condition (Fig. 4).
The coefficients in this model are C1ε = 1.42, and C2ε = 1.68.
Here, αk and αε are the inverse effective Prandtl numbers for k
and ε, respectively, and calculated as follows: 4 Modeling of the condensation
| 𝛼 − 1.3929 |0.6321 | 𝛼 + 2.3929 |0.3679 𝜇mol Commercial software solves the mass transport equation,
| |
| 𝛼 − 1.3929 |
| |
| 𝛼 + 2.3929 | = (14) but it is not capable of directly simulating the changes in
| 0 | | 0 | 𝜇eff
the air humidity as a result of condensation on the surface.
Therefore, UDF (user-defined function) code was written
and added to the program for modeling the condensation.
Some assumptions are made to ensure modeling of the
water vapor and dry air mixture in the room. The mixture

13
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351 Page 7 of 12  351

Fig. 7  UDF code algorithm for

condensation Calculate Evaporation Pressure (Psat)

Calculate the Specific Humidity in Evapoaration Pressure (wsat)

wsat= Psat/ρRT

No
No
0.95wsat ≤w
Condensation

Yes

Condensation Occurs

Amount of condensing water vapor = (w-wsat)ρ/(t2-t1)

Added to the transport equation for the water vapour concentration as

“Source Term”

can be assumed to be the ideal gas since a chemical reaction humidity should decrease along with a certain amount of
would not occur between the dry air and water vapor. condensation upon reaching the saturation curve.
In this case, the transport equation for the water vapor In order to evaluate the actual situation with the software
concentration can be written as: package, “the source term” in Eq. (15) is calculated with
( ) ( ) UDF. The ideal gas equation for calculation of condensing
D 𝜌Cui 𝜕 𝜕(𝜌C) water vapor is:
(15)
�
= Dwv,air − 𝜌ui C� + Si
Dt 𝜕xi 𝜕xi
Pi V = mi RT (16)
In this equation, C is the ratio of water vapor in the air
Dividing by the total mass results in:
to the total air mass. Taking this ratio as equal to the ratio
of water vapor mass to dry air does not lead to a significant (
Pi (V∕m) = mi ∕m RT
)
(17)
difference. Si is the source term. Dwv,air is the diffusion coef-
ficient of the water vapor in the air. Since w = mi/m and ρ = m/V, partial pressure of the water
By adding the source term, calculated with UDF, to con- vapor can be calculated using the formula below:
centration equation, the saturation curve was introduced to
the software. The model developed to Fluent is presented in
Pi = 𝜌wRT (18)
Fig. 5. The figure shows that the increase in specific humid-
ity and decrease in temperature and the increase in rela- Relative humidity:
tive humidity are above the saturation curve. However, the
real situation should be as shown in Fig. 6 and the specific

13
 351   Page 8 of 12 Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering
Fig.8  Temperature and humidity changes on the psychrometric diagram (without condensation)
𝜑 = Pi ∕Psat (19)
Considering these equations, the condition “if φ = 1, then
Pi = Psat” is introduced to the software.
Evaporation pressure is;
Psat = 𝜌wsat RT (20)
The evaporation pressure is also calculated in the litera-
ture using the following formula [28]:
ln Psat = C1 ∕T + C2 + C3 T + C4 T 2 + C5 T 3 + C6 ln T (21)
C 1  = − 5.8002206E + 03, C 2  = 1.3914993E + 00,
C 3  =   −   4 . 8 6 4 0 2 3 9 E – 2 , C 4  =   4 . 1 7 6 4 7 6 8 E − 5 ,
C5 = − 1.4452093−08, C6 = 6.5459673E + 00, T is the abso-
lute temperature, K.
The specific humidity for the evaporation pressure is:
wsat = Psat ∕𝜌RT (22)
Using the definition above, the source term to be added
to the concentration equation, which is condensing water
vapor, is calculated using the formula:
( ) ( ) order to prevent condensation, the initial ambient conditions
Si = w − wsat 𝜌∕ t2 − t1 (23)
These calculations have been introduced to the software
as UDF. The code algorithm is given in Fig. 7. The steps
of UDF code can be explained as follows:
13
(2020) 42:351
1. The saturation pressure is obtained from the temperature
distribution determined by the main program.
2. The specific humidity in this pressure is calculated.
3. It is examined whether condition “λwsat ≤ w” is applica-
ble in the flow cell which is closest to the cold surface.
Here, λ is a “relaxation” coefficient within the range of
0.9–1.0 that is used for numerical reasons.
In the event that “λwsat ≤ w” is applicable, in other words,
if the absolute humidity is higher than saturation humidity,
condensation occurs. The amount of condensed water vapor
(Si) is added to Eq. (15).
5 Results and discussion
5.1 Verification of the model with experimental
study in the case of no condensation
In this part of the study, adiabatic humidity was produced in
a room. The aim is to measure the temperature and relative
humidity changes in the room until condensation occurs. In
in the room (temperature and moisture content) were deter-
mined and the moisture released into the room was adjusted
to avoid condensation.
In the psychrometric diagram in Fig. 8, point 1 indicates the
initial ambient conditions in the room. The test was initiated
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351 Page 9 of 12  351

0.01 0.01

0.009 0.009

Specific Humidity (kg/kg)

Specific Humidity (kg/kg)

0.008 0.008

0.007 0.007

0.006 0.006

0.005 0.005

0.004 0.004
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200
Time (min.) Time (min.)
(a) (b)

18 18
17 17
16 16

Temperature (°C)
15 15
Temperature (°C)

14 14
13 13
12 12
11 11
10 10
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200
Time (min.) Time (min.)
(c) (d)

Fig. 9  Temperature and specific humidity changes a–c on the ceiling, b–d in the center of the room

with specific humidity of 0.006 kgsb/kgkh and temperature of
17 °C. Point 2 indicates the values approximately 50 min later.
The humidity of air in the room increases and temperature
decreases. After a while, cooling was almost complete. Since
humidification was still continuing, the values on point 3 were
reached and humidification was stopped without condensation.
As shown in Fig. 9, specific moisture changes are given
over time. The numerical study results are consistent with
the experimental results. As seen in the figure, humidity
ratios vary linearly with respect to time. This change will
continue with a linear increase until condensation occurs.
In Fig. 9, temperature changes are given for both the ceiling
and the center of the room. As can be seen from the figures,
the rapid drop in temperature during the first 40 min stopped
after 50 min.

5.2 Verification of the model with experimental

study in the case of condensation

The aim of this study is to ensure the condensation in the

room and to measure the temperature and relative humid-
Fig. 10  Condensation contours in the room ity changes. In order to ensure condensation, the initial

13
 351   Page 10 of 12 Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering
Fig. 11  Temperature and humidity changes on the psychrometric diagram (with condensation)
conditions (temperature and humidity) in the room were
determined and the amount of moisture supplied to the
room was adjusted to condensation (Fig. 11).
Figure 10 presents the condensation contours obtained
with the numerical study. As seen in the figure, condensa-
tion occurs on the surfaces of the pipes and at the humidi-
fier outlet. When the stages until condensation occur, point
1 shows the initial conditions when examined on the psy-
chrometric diagram in Fig. 11. Point 2 shows the values
10 min later, and point 3 shows the values 20 min later.
Temperature decreases and humidification goes through
the same enthalpy level until point 3. On the other hand,
although the temperature drop slows down after point 4,
humidification process continues at the same rate. It is seen
that the decrease in temperature gradually stops and the
increase in humidity continues. After point 7 (approx. 70
minutes), all other points coincide substantially, because
from here on, condensation has started. While condensa-
tion occurs in the room, the amount of water vapor lost is
recovered from the humidifier. Therefore, after point 7, all
other points overlap.
The specific humidity changes, according to time,
obtained as a result of numerical and experimental studies
are shown in Fig. 12 for different sensor points. As can be
seen on the psychrometric diagram, the increase in specific
13
(2020) 42:351
humidity values stopped after approximately 70 minutes.
This is because condensation has started. When condensa-
tion begins, the amount of condensed water is replaced by
the water vapor coming from the humidifier, as the humidi-
fication process continues. Therefore, there is no significant
decrease in specific humidity.
Figure 12 shows the change in temperature over time.
When the temperature changes in the case of condensation
are compared with the graphs in which the condensation
does not occur, it is seen that the decrease in temperature
extends to 60 minutes and it reaches approximately 100 min-
utes in the regime conditions. The reason for this slowdown
in temperature drop is that the condensation begins at 50th
minute and the latent heat of the condensed water vapor is
released.
6 Conclusions
In this study, a modeling method has been developed to
investigate the parameters affecting the temperature and
humidity distribution in a closed volume cooled from the
ceiling. The validation of the numerical model created for
the implementation of this method was carried out, and the
designs affecting the operation of the system were examined.
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering (2020) 42:351 Page 11 of 12  351

0.012 0.012

0.011 0.011
Specific Humidity(kg/kg)

Specific Humidity(kg/kg)
0.01 0.01

0.009 0.009

0.008 0.008

0.007 0.007

0.006 0.006
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200
Time (min.) Time (min.)
(a) (b)

20 20

18 18
Temperature (°C)

Temperature (°C)
16 16

14 14

12 12

10 10
0 50 100 150 200 0 50 100 150 200
Time (min.) Time (min.)
(c) (d)

Fig. 12  Temperature and specific humidity changes a–c on the ceiling, b–d in the center of the room

In order to examine the balance between moisture produc-
tion and transport in the room, in addition to the velocity and
momentum equations, the transport equation of water vapor
in the air is solved and the source term of this equation is
defined by psychrometric equations.
Depending on the circumstances, it was possible to
observe the condensation of air humidity on the wall sur-
faces by additional modeling. Thus, a tool has been devel-
oped to investigate the condensation effect, which is an
important problem in cold ceiling applications.
Acknowledgements  The author is grateful to Prof. Dr. Seyhan Uygur
Onbaşıoğlu for supporting this work.
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