Spreading of aerosols in mixed convection in a generic passenger cabin

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Cierpka
• Subject Area: Fluid Mechanics
• Term: from 2021 to 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 468826999

Air conditioning of passenger cabins in aircraft or trains aims always to generate a comfortable and safe environment with the appropriate temperature. Due to the heat load of the passengers natural convection is superimposed to the forced convection by the ventilation system. Thus very complex and often unstable flow structures occur, which affect the aerosol spreading from local sources and may lead to regions of higher aerosol concentrations and thus a higher risk of virus spreading. To understand the flow physics the project aims to optically measure the spreading of aerosols from local sources (passenger) in a downscaled model cabin under elevated pressures in the unique SCALEX-facility. In addition stereoscopic PIV measurement are planned to elaborate on the underlying flow fields. In contrast to previous studies, which use two-dimensional models the generic model cabin features a three-dimensional arrangement. The results of the project are intended to further improve future safety concepts for safe traveling.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants