An alternative air distribution solution for better environmental quality in the ISS crew quarters

Abstract

This article presents the study of a ventilation solution using cross-flow fans for the crew quarters (CQ) aboard the International Space Station. Currently the CQ uses two axial fans for ventilation, which occasionally generate insufficient flow rate or acoustic issues. A ventilation circuit using two cross-flow fans was designed, its acoustic performance was measured and the flow was investigated via CFD by using the measured cross-flow fan operating curves as boundary conditions. The acoustic performance of the fans was evaluated in isothermal conditions, under the assumption that the heat generated by the occupants and equipment would produce negligible thermal buoyancy effects in microgravity on the station. Future studies will investigate how the internal heat generated in the enclosure affects the thermal comfort conditions of the occupants. After a comparison between the axial and cross-flow fan systems, results indicate that the latter provides better acoustic parameters for the same flow rate with less energy consumption.