Three-dimensional non-isothermal numerical model for predicting semi-volatile organic compound transport process in a room.

Abstract

In this paper, a three-dimensional non-isothermal computational model for predicting indoor SVOC distribution is proposed, considering the effects of turbulence diffusion and suspended particles. The realizable k-ε model is introduced for turbulent flow simulation in a room. The Euler-Euler method is adopted to deal with the gas-particle two-phase flow coupled problem. Inertia slip velocity and irreversible first-order absorption boundary are employed for more accurate prediction of particle motion. The simulated curve of outlet gas-phase di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) concentration with emission time is verified by available experimental data. The emission process of DEHP in a 15m2 room in Beijing during 100days with or without air cleaner is simulated by the developed model considering air leak through window and door gaps. It is found that if the air cleaner keeps on all the time during 100days the gas-phase DEHP concentration in the room will tend to be uniform, while the emission process is far from equilibrium without an air cleaner even the emission lasts 100days. Results also suggest that floor heating, decrease of particle concentration, weaken of heat transfer, enhancement of mass transfer, and air infiltration in window gap contribute to decrease DEHP concentration.