Abstract
Three-dimensional mixed convection in an ice rink heated by thermostatically controlled radiant heaters was simulated numerically using the standard k-epsilon model with wall functions. This large building was modelled under transient conditions by considering the real outdoors atmospheric conditions for a typical spring day in Montreal, Canada. Results indicate the usefulness of the CFD technique as a powerful tool which provides a detailed description of the flow and temperature fields as well as the heat fluxes into the ice. The most important results are: - Heating is needed only during the night ( from 22 h to 7 h) when the outdoors temperature is relatively low. - The On/ Off switching of the radiant panels influences the temperature profiles throughout the ice rink; even the ice surface temperature is affected although the view factor between these two surfaces is zero. - The radiation heat flux towards the ice increases significantly when the radiant panels are turned On; this can influence ice quality. - The resurfacing operation increases the ice temperature and, by convection, the temperature of the air immediately above the stands. - The air near the ice surface ( 1 meter over the ice) is essentially stagnant and significant air velocities can only be found above the stands and near the ceiling above the ice. - The volumetric flow rate and temperature of the air evacuated from the building vary significantly between the different outlets.