CFD study on the transmission of indoor pollutants under personalized ventilation

As an advanced and efficient ventilation method, personalized ventilation (PV) has attracted more and more attentions. This paper investigates the pollutant transmission characteristics and personal exposure under the combination of two types of PV terminals and three kinds of typical background ventilation systems in an office with four work stations. Three kinds of cases are simulated and analyzed, including the most unfavorable condition, the most favorable condition and the ordinary condition. The results show that the interactions between PV and displacement ventilation (DV) or PV and under-floor air distribution (UFAD) are obviously stronger than that between PV and mixed ventilation (MV). Under a constant total ventilation rate, PV with a high flow rate may disrupt the characteristics of the background ventilation system and increase the personal exposure if comparing with the background ventilation alone. The advantage of PV depends on the proper combination of PV and its background ventilation system.

► We simulate the transmission of pollutants in an office.
► We study the combinations of personalized ventilation (PV) and background ventilation systems.
► Personalized airflow may disturb the background airflow and increase personal exposure.
► The combination of PV and its background ventilation system should be properly designed.