Computational Fluid Dynamics Study of Flow and Aerosol Concentration Patterns in a Ribbed Smoked Sheet Rubber Factory

Abstract

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method was used to investigate velocity, temperature, particles trajectories, and aerosol concentration in a natural ribbed smoked sheet rubber factory. A model to improve the smoke aerosol particle ventilation was proposed. The simulation was performed using turbulent free convection flows where the Rayleigh number was between 5.3838 × 1010 and 33.2003 × 1010. A total of 2,159,347 mesh volumes were applied to the entire ribbed smoked sheet rubber cooperative. Results from the CFD simulation and experiment showed positive results. The air containing smoke particles moved naturally from ventilating lids of the smoke room to the roof. The smoke particles followed the airflow fields at the junction of the roof and traveled to workplace areas. Results show that the thick cloud of smoke particles remained in the workplace after traveling for more than 200 m. Particle concentration was high in the area above the ceiling and lower along the elevation in a downward direction. This is potentially harmful to the employees who work in the factory for long periods of time. Modification of the roof to include a ridge vent showed considerable improvement in ventilation, which largely decreased the aerosol particle concentration inside the factory.