Particle Deposition in Ventilation Ducts: Connectors, Bends and Developing Turbulent Flow

Abstract

In ventilation ducts the turbulent flow profile is commonly disturbed or not fully developed, and these conditions are likely to influence particle deposition to duct surfaces. Particle deposition rates at eight S-connectors, in two 90° duct bends and in two ducts where the turbulent flow profile was not fully developed were measured in a laboratory duct system with both bare steel and internally insulated ducts with hydraulic diameters of 15.2 cm. In the bare-steel duct system, experiments with nominal particle diameters of 1, 3, 5, 9, and 16 μm were conducted at each of three nominal air speeds: 2.2, 5.3, and 9.0 m/s. In the insulated duct system, deposition of particles with nominal diameters of 1, 3, 5, 8, and 13 μm was measured at nominal air speeds of 2.2, 5.3 and 8.8 m/s. Fluorescent techniques were used to measure directly the deposition velocities of monodisperse fluorescent particles to duct surfaces. Deposition at S-connectors, in bends, and in straight ducts with developing turbulence was oft...