Evaluation of ozone risk under different air-supply mode in aircraft cabins

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to evaluate the ozone risk introduced by the mixing air-supply mode, displacement air-supply mode and personalized air-supply mode, respectively, in commercial aircraft cabins.Design/methodology/approachIn this study, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of aircraft cabin has been built to study the distribution of ozone mass fraction and the ozone surface deposition rate on passenger’s face and clothes under the three different air-supply modes, respectively. The distribution of ozone mass fraction has been obtained by calculating the mass concentration of ozone in different location. The ozone surface deposition rate on passenger’s face and clothes has been calculated according to the mechanism of the reactions between ozone and squalene, which is the primary reactant in human sebum.FindingsBy comparing the three air-supply modes, it was considered that the mixing air-supply mode made lower ozone concentration and ozone surface deposition risk in most area, but this was because of the thin air distribution in cabin. The displacement air-supply mode made an uneven distribution of ozone concentration and increased absorbing ozone risk in the breathing zone. The personalized air-supply mode was proper for avoiding ozone harm and making a comfortable air environment. The air supply from the inlet on seat back could not increase the ozone surface deposition risk on passenger’s face.Originality/valueThis paper provides the qualitative and quantitative analysis for ozone risk to the passengers under the different air-supply modes. Findings can provide some suggestions for the designers to optimize the air-supply mode of air distribution system for reducing passengers’ discomfort caused by high-altitude ozone introduction, such as breathing in too much ozone.