Evaluation of Source Model Coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation of the Dispersion of Airborne Contaminants in a Work Environment

Dispersion of airborne contaminants in indoor air was evaluated employing physical measurement, empirical models, and computer simulation methods. Field data collected from a tray of evaporating solvent in the laboratory were compared with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations coupled with evaporation models. The results indicated that mathematical models of evaporation can be coupled with CFD simulations to produce reasonable qualitative predictions of airborne contaminant levels. The airflow pattern within a room is primarily determined by the room layout and the position of the air supply diffusers. Variations in ventilation rate did not alter the airflow pattern, thus generating a characteristic concentration profile of the airborne contaminants.

Keywords:

• airflow pattern
• computational fluid dynamics
• dispersion
• evaporation rate
• ventilation

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We thank George Xu, from the Institute of High Performance Computing for his assistance with the CFD simulations, Ng Lee Penn and Oei Hun Ping for their assistance in field data collection, and the Occupational Health Department for giving us the opportunity to conduct this study.

Notes

^A C _{ϵ 3} = 1.44 when P _B > 0.

^B For smooth walls