Study and Experimental Validation of a Zonal Model for a Sitting Manikin Thermal Plume

A simplified sitting thermal manikin was used for the investigation of the thermal plume with the zonal method. The modeling was realized under free convection, with no ventilation system in the room. The thermal manikin was placed in a 3.53×3.53×2.52 (LxlxH) experimental chamber with different ambient temperatures. The zonal model was realized using the simulation environment SPARK. The manikin's temperature was different for different body parts. The body was divided into three parts, from the temperature point of view - head, body and legs. The thermal manikin's surface was 1.95 m2. The results of the zonal model were compared with the results obtained during the experimental campaign at the climate chamber of the CAMBI laboratory and with the CFD predictions for the same geometry. The study showed that the zonal model is capable to predict in a good manner the velocity and temperature field of the thermal plume.