Ventilation strategy for particulate matter control in subway stations

Particulate matter severely affects human health, and its migration is closely related to human walking and ventilation. It is essential to select an appropriate ventilation strategy to control the particulate matter caused by cluster passengers walking. In this study, cluster passengers walk in the narrow passage of a subway station. Large eddy simulation (LES) was used to study the influence of cluster passengers walking on the transmission of particulate matter under ventilation conditions involving upper exhaust and lower exhaust. The risk of passengers exposure was analyzed by comparing the exposure levels of particulate matter at different heights under the effect of human disturbance. The results show that the amount of particulate matter near the legs is greatest during human walking. Clustered passengers disturbance airflow induces particulate matter to rise to the breathing zone, which increases the risk of human exposure. Lower-side exhaust conditions are more conducive to the discharge and control of particulate matter. The disturbance of cluster passengers enhances the continuous transmission of particulate matter in the wake flow. This study is applicable to traffic hubs and other public places where passengers gather, the ventilation of the upper side exhaust has better control effect on particulate matter caused by passengers wake flow.