Comparative study on the dispersion and removal efficiency of indoor aerosol particles under various displacement ventilation modes

Abstract

The removal of indoor aerosols through ventilation is a critical area of research in indoor air quality management. This study utilized the validated Re-Normalization Group (RNG) k-ε model to simulate the effect of different ventilation methods on the diffusion and distribution of indoor aerosol particles. The analysis encompassed variations in temperature, airflow dynamics, and aerosol dispersion characteristics under both summer and winter conditions. The results indicate significant differences in indoor airflow structures among different ventilation modes, influencing the thermal comfort of indoor occupants distinctly. Furthermore, these ventilation modes had varying impacts on the diffusion of particles of different sizes under different seasonal conditions. In summer, the ceiling-supply and side-return ventilation mode demonstrated outstanding particle removal efficiency, achieving a remarkable 99.2% removal rate after just 50 s of ventilation. Conversely, winter conditions posed challenges for efficient indoor aerosol particle removal, even with similar ventilation modes. During winter, the most effective ventilation mode was the left-upper supply and right-lower return mode, which achieved a particle removal efficiency of 98% at 100 s. These findings highlight the importance of understanding seasonal variations in indoor aerosol distribution and the effectiveness of diverse ventilation methods in improving indoor air quality. Such insights are invaluable for optimizing ventilation systems and the continually improving indoor air quality management.