Localized suction-assisted contaminant removal strategies for improved IAQ

In cases of high occupant density seating, the ability to achieve acceptable personal comfort (e.g. related to thermal and odor control) can quickly become compromised due to the close proximity of the people. Through the use of localized suction orifices near and around the source occupant, the individual's thermal plume (the carrier of bio-effluents) is unobtrusively ingested to remove potential contaminants before they can mix with the bulk air supply. A Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) study has been undertaken to evaluate the effectiveness of various seat-integrated suction designs in minimizing passenger exposure to bio-effluents in a typical coach-class aircraft cabin with mixing ventilation. Results indicate a reduction in personal exposure to cross-contamination from neighboring passengers of up to 65% when seat-integrated suction is implemented. To validate and further test the concept, an environmental chamber which replicates the geometry and ventilation scheme of a Boeing 777 has been constructed and instrumented for PIV flow field and tracer gas concentration measurements. Research is ongoing and further experimental results are forthcoming.