Natural ventilation performance of ancient wind catchers, an experimental and analytical study - case studies: one-sided, two-sided and four-sided wind catchers

An experimental and analytical method has been applied to evaluate air flow pattern in three main kinds of Iranian traditional wind catchers. Results indicate that ARDAKANI wind catcher with one opening is not an efficient device, and airflow average rate in its shaft is negative. It means that one‐side wind catcher has a high rate air extract specially in summer and spring which air supply is demanded. KERMANI wind catcher with two openings has a positive air flow rate in the hot months of the year, but also air flow rate in the cold months of the year is high which is not efficient. And finally, YAZDI wind catcher with four openings has a positive air flow rate in hot seasons and also air flow rate in cold seasons is positive too. Also, a good agreement between computer simulation and analytical modelling is noticeable.