Nonlinear Dynamic Analysis of Solution Multiplicity of Buoyancy Ventilation in Two Vertically Connected Open Cavities with Unequal Heights

Solution multiplicity of natural ventilation in buildings is of much importance for personnel safety and ventilation design. In this paper, a new mathematical model of buoyancy pressure ventilation for two vertically connected open cavities is presented. Compared with the previous published papers studying two vertically connected open cavities with equal heights and hot source E 2 < 0 in the upper room, we study two vertically connected open cavities with unequal heights and hot source E 2 < 0 or E 2 > 0 in the upper room. By solving and analyzing the equilibrium points and characteristic roots of the differential equations, we analyze the stability of two systems with upward flow pattern and downward pattern and obtain the criteria to determine the stability and existence of solutions for two scenarios. According to these criteria, the multiple steady states of buoyancy ventilation in two vertically connected open cavities with unequal heights and variable strength of hot sources can be obtained. These criteria can be used to design buoyancy ventilation or natural exhaust ventilation systems in two vertically connected open cavities. Compared with two stable states of buoyancy ventilation existing in two vertically connected open cavities with equal heights in the previously published papers, we find that more stable states and unstable states of buoyancy ventilation exist in two vertically connected open cavities with unequal heights in our paper. Finally, bifurcation diagrams and the phase portraits for the two scenarios are given.