The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), located in Doha, is a significant cultural institution that serves as a cultural hub, preserving and showcasing the rich history and heritage of the country. Designed by the renowned architect Jean Nouvel, the museum’s structure is inspired by the desert rose crystal, creating a striking and unique architectural landmark.

Mechartes was appointed as a CFD Analysis and Piping Analysis consultant for the project. The condensers were placed in a pit around the museum in the project. The client was concerned that there might be insufficient air intake for the condenser pits and hot air recirculation.

Our primary focus was addressing concerns regarding condenser placement around the museum, particularly related to air intake adequacy and hot air recirculation issues. We thoroughly examined velocity, temperature, and relative humidity profiles through rigorous CFD analysis to provide strategic recommendations for enhancing condenser performance under varying external ambient conditions.

Furthermore, CFD thermal comfort analyses were carried out as per ASHRAE 55 for the entire museum galleries to optimize design parameters and ensure optimal comfort levels for visitors. Given the project’s complexity, we also carried out intriguing CFD studies concerning hot air generation from speakers and screens across the galleries, assessing potential impacts on the HVAC system’s efficiency.

Additionally, our scope included conducting piping stress analyses using the ASME B31.3 standard for the chilled water and condenser water networks. This involved identifying critical loads on the pipes and designing appropriate supports to guarantee the robustness and longevity of the infrastructure.