Computer-aided design of a new cabin supply air nozzle in commercial airplanes for reducing particle deposition. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pan, Yue; Lin, Chao-Hsin; Wei, Daniel; Dong, Zhongzhe; Chen, Chun
• Is Part Of: Building and environment. Volume 186(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Air distribution -- Particle deposition -- Design approach -- Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) -- Aircraft cabin environment -- Indoor particles; Buildings -- Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Building -- Research -- Periodicals; Constructions -- Technique de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 696
• DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.107324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-1323

Abstract

Abstract: Enhanced soiling is frequently observed near the multi-slot cabin supply air nozzles in twin-aisle commercial airplanes, which would increase the cleaning and maintenance costs. This study proposed a computer-aided design approach to develop a new cabin supply air nozzle for reducing particle deposition in commercial airplanes. In the new nozzle, the slot dividers were removed to reduce particle deposition, while the shape of the plenum was re-designed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to ensure supply air uniformity. The new nozzles were fabricated using a 3D printing technique. The performance of the new cabin supply air nozzles was compared with that of the original multi-slot nozzles by both experimental measurements and numerical simulations, in terms of supply air velocity distribution, particle deposition, pressure drop, noise level, and weight. The results show that the new cabin supply air nozzles can significantly reduce particle deposition on the target surface in comparison to the original multi-slot nozzles, while providing similar airflow and temperature distributions in the aircraft cabin. Furthermore, the new nozzles exhibited better supply air uniformity, lower pressure drop, lower noise level, and were lighter in weight than the original multi-slot nozzles. Highlights: A computer-aided design approach was proposed to develop a new cabin supply air nozzle. The new cabin supply air nozzles can significantly reduce particle deposition. The new nozzles had better supply air uniformity, lower pressure drop, and lighter weight.