Fine particle dispersion in a commercial aircraft cabin

Abstract

The spread of particles or contaminants in aircraft cabins is of interest due to the large number of passengers and their close proximity to each other. This close proximity causes concern about the spread of disease and contaminants among passengers. To understand the aircraft cabin environment and the dispersion of fine particles, an experimental study was conducted in an 11-row wide-body aircraft cabin mockup. The experiment focused on the longitudinal dispersion of particles throughout the cabin. The data show the regions close to the source experience higher levels of exposure and higher levels of variation, while locations farther from the source show lower exposure levels and less variation. The variations close to the source likely stem from the interaction of the quick injection burst of particles with chaotic airflow. Particles release in the second row were detected at all locations in the cabin mockup, but there was roughly a 37% decrease in concentration with each successive row in the longitudinal direction from the release location.

Acknowledgments

This research was funded by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Office of Aerospace Medicine through the National Air Transportation Center of Excellence for Research in the Intermodal Transport Environment under Cooperative Agreement 07-C-RITE-KSU. Although the FAA has sponsored this project, it neither endorses nor rejects the findings of this research. The presentation of this information is in the interest of invoking technical community comment on the results and conclusions of the research.

Jeremy M. Beneke, Student Member ASHRAE, is a Graduate Research Assistant. Byron W. Jones, PhD, PE, Fellow ASHRAE, is Associate Dean for Research. Mohammad Hosni, PhD, Fellow ASHRAE, is a Professor of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.