In order to study the capability of computational methods in investigating the mechanisms associated with disease and contaminants transmission in aircraft cabins, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models are used for the simulation of turbulent airflow and tracer gas diffusion in a generic aircraft cabin mockup. The CFD models are validated through the comparisons of the CFD predictions with corresponding experimental measurements. It is found that using large eddy simulation (LES) with the Werner-Wengle wall function, one can predict unsteady airflow velocity field with relatively high accuracy. However in the middle region of the cabin mockup, where the recirculation of airflow takes place, the accuracy is not as good as that in other locations. By examining different k-ε models, the current study recommends the use of the RNG k-ε model with the nonequilibrium wall function as an Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes model for predicting the steady-state airflow velocity. It is also found that changing the nozzle height has a significant effect on the flow behavior in the middle and upper part of the cabin, while the flow pattern in the lower part is not affected as much. Through the use of LES and species transport model in simulating tracer gas diffusion, a very good agreement between predicted and measured tracer gas concentration is achieved for some monitoring locations, but the agreement level is not uniform for all the locations. The reasons for the deviations between prediction and measurement for those locations are discussed.
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November 2013
Research-Article
A Computational Study of Turbulent Airflow and Tracer Gas Diffusion in a Generic Aircraft Cabin Model
Khosrow Ebrahimi,
Khosrow Ebrahimi
Mem. ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: khosrow.ebrahimi@villanova.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Villanova University
,800 Lancaster Avenue
,Villanova, PA 19085
e-mail: khosrow.ebrahimi@villanova.edu
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Zhongquan C. Zheng,
Zhongquan C. Zheng
Fellow ASME
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: zzheng@ku.edu
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
University of Kansas
,1530 W 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: zzheng@ku.edu
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Mohammad H. Hosni
Mohammad H. Hosni
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical and
Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: hosni@ksu.edu
Department of Mechanical and
Nuclear Engineering,
Kansas State University
,Manhattan, KS 66506
e-mail: hosni@ksu.edu
Search for other works by this author on:
Khosrow Ebrahimi
Mem. ASME
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
e-mail: khosrow.ebrahimi@villanova.edu
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Villanova University
,800 Lancaster Avenue
,Villanova, PA 19085
e-mail: khosrow.ebrahimi@villanova.edu
Zhongquan C. Zheng
Fellow ASME
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
e-mail: zzheng@ku.edu
Department of Aerospace Engineering,
University of Kansas
,1530 W 15th Street
Lawrence, KS 66045
e-mail: zzheng@ku.edu
Mohammad H. Hosni
Fellow ASME
Department of Mechanical and
Nuclear Engineering,
e-mail: hosni@ksu.edu
Department of Mechanical and
Nuclear Engineering,
Kansas State University
,Manhattan, KS 66506
e-mail: hosni@ksu.edu
Contributed by the Fluids Engineering Division of ASME for publication in the JOURNAL OF FLUIDS ENGINEERING. Manuscript received December 26, 2011; final manuscript received July 13, 2013; published online September 6, 2013. Assoc. Editor: D. Keith Walters.
J. Fluids Eng. Nov 2013, 135(11): 111105 (15 pages)
Published Online: September 6, 2013
Article history
Received:
December 26, 2011
Revision Received:
July 13, 2013
Citation
Ebrahimi, K., Zheng, Z. C., and Hosni, M. H. (September 6, 2013). "A Computational Study of Turbulent Airflow and Tracer Gas Diffusion in a Generic Aircraft Cabin Model." ASME. J. Fluids Eng. November 2013; 135(11): 111105. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4025096
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