Analysis of Performance of Three Wind-catchers for Ventilation of Contemporary Houses in Isfahan- Hot and Arid Climate - hot and dry climate of Isfahan

Wind Catchers, as a traditional method of cooling, are compatible with the environment, on the one hand, and reduce energy consumption which is a major global challenge, on the other hand. This study evaluates the thermal and ventilation performance inside different floors of a four-story residential building by using three one-sided, two-sided, four-sided wind catcher models in hot and dry weather in open window mode.

The analysis by computer modeling or computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to evaluate the cooling potential and flow rate during the summer solstice

The results show that one-sided wind catchers are not efficient due to the low average inlet air and the negative airflow in the central shaft. Two-sided wind catchers have a positive airflow rate in the warm months, but a four-story building, cannot have the amount of air needed for ventilation on the first and second floors. Among three samples, the simulated four-sided Wind Catchers model has higher refrigeration power and optimal efficiency because it can provide airflow with appropriate speed and volume for the first to fourth floors

Among the three wind catcher modeled in software, it has been determined that only the four-way model can have the necessary efficiency to perform ventilation in different floors. designers can design an optimized design and a building that is more compatible with natural ventilation to provide comfort for residents, according to some special points for the use of wind catchers.