Comparison of the performance of different mixing ventilation configurations in particle removal from indoor spaces C. Habchi, K. Ghali and N. Ghaddar 2019/07/15

Abstract

Re-suspended particles from indoor sufaces present a real threat to occupants. The ventilation system plays a primordial role in enhancing the indoor air quality. A CFD model was developed to compare particle removal effectiveness of variable mixed air distribution configurations. A parametric study was performed to assess the effect of two main factors affecting the airflow
pattern: the relative inlet/outlet location and suction velocity.
It was found that the mixing ventilation configuration with floor outlets located at middle of the walls presented the best performance due to the creation of a suction effect covering the majority of the floor area leading to high removal effectiveness. Furthermore, increasing the suction velocity strengthened the suction effect resulting in better particle removal by the escape of a larger
number of particles generated at floor level.

Authors and affiliations

C. Habchi1, K. Ghali2 and N. Ghaddar2
1. Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Lebanese University, Branch II, Roumieh, Lebanon
2. Department of Mechanical Engineering. American University of Beirut, Lebanon

Key words

Mixing ventilation, removal efficiency, suction velocity, air quality, outlet location

References

[1] Molhave, L., Kjaergaard, S.K., Attermann, J. Sensory and other neurogenic effects of exposures to airborne office dust, Atmospheric Environment 2000, (34), 4755–4766.
[2] Mendell, M.J., Fisk, W.J., Petersen, M.R., Hines, C.J., Dong, M., Faulkner, D., Deddens, J.A., Ruder, A.M., Sullivan, D., Boeniger, M.F. Indoor particles and symptoms among office workers: results from a double-blind cross-over study,
Epidemiology 2002, (13), 296–304.
[3] Schneider, T., Sundell, J., Bischof, W., Bohgard, M., Cherrie, J.W., Clausen, P.A., Dreborg, S., Kildeso, J., Kjaergaard, S.K., Lovik, M., Pasanen, P., Skyberg, K., ‘EUROPART’ Airborne particles in the indoor environment, A European
interdisciplinary review of scientific evidence on associations between exposure to particles in buildings and health effects. Indoor Air 2003, (13), 38–48.
[4] Long, C.M., Helen H. Suh, and Petros K. "Characterization of indoor particle sources using continuous mass and size monitors." Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association 50.7 (2000): 1236-1250.
[5] Cao, Zhi-Guo, et al. "Particle size: A missing factor in risk assessment of human exposure to toxic chemicals in settled indoor dust." Environment international 49 (2012): 24-30.
[6] Sehmel, G. A. "Particle resuspension: a review." Environment International 4.2 (1980): 107-127.
[7] Ormstad, H., B. V. Johansen, and P. I. Gaarder. "Airborne house dust particles and diesel exhaust particles as allergen carriers." Clinical and experimental allergy 28.6 (1998): 702-708.
[8] Ibrahim, A. H., Dunn, P. F., & Brach, R. M. (2004). Microparticle detachment from surfaces exposed to turbulent air flow: Effects of flow and particle deposition characteristics. Journal of Aerosol Science, 35(7), 805-821.
[9] Habchi, C., Ghali, K., & Ghaddar, N. (2016). Coupling CFD and analytical modeling for investigation of monolayer particle resuspension by transient flows. Building and Environment, 105, 1-12.
[10] Wallace, L. (2006). Indoor sources of ultrafine and accumulation mode particles: size distributions, size-resolved concentrations, and source strengths. Aerosol science and technology, 40(5), 348-360.
[11] Roberts, J. W., D. E. Camann, and T. M. Spittler. "Reducing lead exposure from remodeling and soil track-in in older homes." A AND WMA ANNUAL MEETING. Vol. 15. AIR & WASTE MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, 1993.
[12] Corsi, Richard L., Jeffrey A. Siegel, and Chunyi Chiang. "Particle resuspension during the use of vacuum cleaners on residential carpet." Journal of occupational and environmental hygiene 5.4 (2008): 232-238.
[13] A.R. Ferro, R.J. Kopperud, L.M. Hildemann. Source strengths for indoor human activities that resuspend particulate matter. Environmental Science & Technology, 38 (2004), pp. 1759–1764.
[14] Abt E., H.H. Suh, P. Catalano, P. Koutrakis: Relative contribution of outdoor and indoor particle sources to indoor concentrations, Environmental Science and Technology, 34, 3579-3587 (2000).
[15] Gomes C, Freihaut J, Bahnfleth W. Resuspension of allergen-containing particles under mechanical and aerodynamic disturbances from human walking. Atmospheric Environment 2007;41:5257e70.
[16] Kazzaz M, Habchi C, Ghali K, Ghaddar, N, Alotaibi S, Chakroun W (2017). Micro-particle indoor resuspension under periodic airflows: A numerical-analytical study and experimentations. Building and Environment, 123, 299-314.
[17] Bruce N, Perez-Padilla, R, Albalak R. Indoor air pollution in developing countries: a major environmental and public health challenge. Bulletin of the World Health Organization 2000; 78(9): 1078-1092.
[18] Spengler, J D, Sexton K. Indoor air pollution: a public health perspective. Science 1983; 221(4605): 9-17.
[19] Gradoñ, Leon. "Resuspension of particles from surfaces: technological, environmental and pharmaceutical aspects." Advanced Powder Technology 20.1 (2009): 17-28.
[20] Makhoul, A., K. Ghali, and N. Ghaddar. Lowmixing coaxial nozzle for effective personalized ventilation, Indoor and Built Environment. 24 (2), pp. 225-243 2015.
[21] Todorovic, M., et al. Natural and mixed ventilation design via CFD and architectural modelling. International Journal of Ventilation 5.4 (2007): 447-458.
[22] Brohus H, Knudsen HN, Nielsen PV, Clausen G, Fanger PO. Perceived air quality in a displacement ventilated room. Indoor Air. Proceedings of the 7th Int. Conf. on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, Nagoya, Japan 1996; 1: 811–816.
[23] Zhang, Z., and Q. Chen. "Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of particle transport and distribution in ventilated rooms." Atmospheric environment 40.18 (2006): 3396-3408.
[24] Brohus H, Nielsen PV. Personal exposure in displacement ventilated rooms. Indoor Air. 1996 Sep;6(3):157-67.
[25] Makhoul A, Ghali K, Ghaddar N. The energy saving potential and the associated thermal comfort of displacement ventilation systems assisted by personalized ventilation. Indoor Built Environment 2013; 22: 508–519.
[26] Zhang, Q. Chen, Comparison of the Eulerian and Lagrangian methods for predicting particle transport in enclosed spaces. Atmospheric Environment 41 (2007) 5236–5248.
[27] F.Z. Chen, S. Yu, A. Lai, Modeling particle distribution and deposition in indoor environments with a new drift–flux model. Atmospheric Environment 40 (2006) 357-367.
[28] ANSYS Software: ANSYS Inc. http://www.ansys.com/
[29] Z. Zhang, Q. Chen, Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of particle transport and distribution in ventilated rooms. Atmospheric Environment 40(18) (2006) 3396–3408.
[30] C. Habchi, K. Ghali, N. Ghaddar, W. Chakroun, S. Alotaibi, Ceiling Personalized Ventilation Combined with Desk Fans for Reduced Direct and Indirect Cross-Contamination and Efficient use of an Office Space. Energy Conversion and Management 111 (2016) 158-73.
[31] C. Habchi, W. Chakroun, S. Alotaibi, K. Ghali, N. Ghaddar, Effect of shifts from occupant design position on performance of ceiling personalized ventilation assisted with desk fan or chair fans. Energy and Buildings 117 (2016) 20-32.
[32] ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 90.1: Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings. Atlanta, American Society of Heating, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Engineers, Inc.; 2013.
[33] M. Wang, C.H. Lin, Q. Chen, Advanced turbulence models for predicting particle transport in enclosed environments. Building and Environment 47 (2012) 40-49.
[34] Makhoul A, Ghali K, Ghaddar N. Investigation of Particle Transport in Offices Equipped with Ceiling-Mounted Personalized Ventilators. Building and Environment 2013; 63: 97-107.