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Journal article
Parametric Analysis of the Factors Impacting the Spatial Distribution of Particles in a Bus Environment
Sustainability, v 17(3), 1051
27 Jan 2025
Featured in Collection : Research Supported by Drexel Libraries' OA Programs
Abstract
This study presents a parametric analysis of the factors impacting particle distribution within a bus environment using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, with a primary focus on the relative concentration (RC) of particles. The Novel Relative Concentration (RC) metric, which measures the deviation from a return concentration, was used to assess the effects of ventilation rates, the number and spatial arrangement of particle emitters, and thermal conditions. Our investigation reveals that increasing air changes per hour (ACHs) from 5.74 h⁻1 to 28.66 h⁻1 reduces the overall particle concentration by approximately 45%, but localized high concentration zones persist, with maximum RC values observed at 1.57. Scenarios with evenly distributed emitters achieved near-uniform particle distribution, with RC values averaging around 0.95, while clustered emitters resulted in localized high concentrations, with RC values exceeding 2.0. Thermal conditions were found to have a minimal effect on RC, with average values of 1.664 for cooling and 1.588 for heating, showing only a 4.68% difference. The RC metric provided clear insights into the non-uniformity of particle distribution, highlighting areas prone to higher concentrations, with some zones reaching RC values of 2.5, indicating concentrations 2.5 times higher than the well-mixed average. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing ventilation systems for both overall air exchange and uniform air distribution, offering practical implications for improving air quality and reducing the risk of airborne pathogen transmission in public transportation systems. Future research should explore real-time ventilation adjustments based on passenger load, the effects of different particle types, and the development of models incorporating human behavior and movement patterns.
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Details
- Title
- Parametric Analysis of the Factors Impacting the Spatial Distribution of Particles in a Bus Environment
- Creators
- Zeinab Bahman ZadehBryan E Cummings - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental EngineeringL. James Lo (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University, Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Publication Details
- Sustainability, v 17(3), 1051
- Publisher
- MDPI
- Number of pages
- 26
- Grant note
- Federal Transit AdministrationFederal Transit Administration (FTA)Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Administration): PA-2021-045 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation (SEPTA) Authority (Mass Transit Vehicle Air Ventilation and Purification Technologies Evaluation project)Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program
This research was funded by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The authors would like to express special thanks to the benefactors: the U.S. Department of Transportation (Federal Transit Administration) and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation (SEPTA) Authority (Mass Transit Vehicle Air Ventilation and Purification Technologies Evaluation project; grant number: PA-2021-045) under the Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program.
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineering
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001419498100001
- Scopus ID
- 2-s2.0-85217772015
- Other Identifier
- 991022019919104721
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- Web of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Environmental Studies
- Green & Sustainable Science & Technology