Hi

I am currently investigating which software to use for HVAC and fire simulations, Ansys Airpak or Star CCM+. Does anyone have experience with either of the too? and in case, which code do You recommend...

Ah, each provider will tell you that their package will handle virtually every scenario you throw at it which makes your life a pain when chosen the correct package. My advice is this, try and get an evaluation on the codes and run a standard case on each package incorporating a number of physical phenomena that is most relevant to you future work. The things to look out for are generally generic when choosing a CFD code which are productivity, reliability and cost. Normally you have to trade things off between CFD vendors so get a trail, use you own evidence to make a decision. If you haven't got time for all that then I suggest you have a look at the NAFEMS web site, you can buy case studies on HVAC and fire simulations which indicate the capabilities of the two codes that you mentioned. From my experience as far as I know CCM+ is based around the star-cd solver and Airpack the fluent solver. You will defiantly need a high end solver for complex smoke simulation so I'd start looking at their capabilities. I don't think either code will have the full capabilities of the parent software fluent and star.

Both packages will solve HVAC problems with ease, I'd expect airpack to be more productive, but ccm+ will have more physics models to use. Hope this helps

[jps]

I'm also trying to find the most suitable software (easy to use and accurate) to simulate airflow due to HVAC. Has anyone tried the CFD module of DesignBuilder??

Thanks