A computational and experimental investigation of the human thermal plume

The human thermal plume in a standard room environment, including thermal stratification, is studied. We measured the velocity field around a human volunteer using particle image velocimetry (PIV). These results are compared with those of a steady three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solution of the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations (RANS) using the RNG k-$\varepsilon $ two-equation turbulence model. Although the CFD simulation employs a highly-simplified model of the human form, it nonetheless compares quite well with the PIV data in terms of the plume centerline velocity distribution with height, velocity profiles, and flow rates. The effect of thermal stratification in the room upon the human plume is examined by comparing the stratified results with those of an additional CFD plume simulation in a uniform-temperature room. The reduction in plume buoyancy due to temperature stratification has a significant effect on human plume behavior.