Investigation of flow and heat transfer for a split air conditioner indoor unit

Split air conditioners (SACs) include complicated components, such as the fin and tube heat exchanger (FTHE) and cross-flow fan (CFF), and their complex interaction needs to be investigated in detail. In this study, a three-dimensional representative thin-section model was introduced for modelling SAC indoor units, and heat transfer and fluid flow analysis was made to determine the characteristics of the device. In addition, the numerical method was examined by comparing the results with the heat transfer capacity experiments and Stereo Particle Image Velocimetry (SPIV) measurements at the outlet section of the device were conducted to compare the velocity distribution. The results showed that the difference between the numerical and experimental studies were within acceptable limits; therefore, the thin-section model for the numerical study is a good assumption for determining the heat transfer and flow characteristics of the SACs. ► A three dimensional representative thin section CFD model was introduced. ► A psychrometric test room was used for the verification of the capacity results. ► Capacity difference between the test room data and CFD model was 0.26%. ► Velocity distribution from the CFD analyses was compared with SPIV measurements. ► Thin section model is useful for determining heat transfer and flow characteristics.