Indoor mould growth prediction using coupled computational fluid dynamics and mould growth model
This study investigates, using in-situ and numerical simulation experiments, airflow and hygrothermal distribution in a mechanically ventilated academic research facility with known cases of microbial proliferations. Microclimate parameters were obtained from in-situ experiments and used as bound...
| Summary: | This study investigates, using in-situ and numerical simulation experiments, airflow and hygrothermal
distribution in a mechanically ventilated academic research facility with known cases of microbial
proliferations. Microclimate parameters were obtained from in-situ experiments and used as
boundary conditions and validation of the numerical experiments with a commercial computational
fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis tool using the standard k–ε model. Good agreements were obtained
with less than 10% deviations between the measured and simulated results. Subsequent upon
successful validation, the model was used to investigate hygrothermal and airflow profile within
the shelves holding stored components in the facility. The predicted in-shelf hygrothermal profile
was superimposed on mould growth limiting curve earlier documented in the literature. Results
revealed the growth of xerophilic species in most parts of the shelves. The mould growth prediction
was found in correlation with the microbial investigation in the case-studied room reported by
the authors elsewhere. Satisfactory prediction of mould growth in the room successfully proved
that the CFD simulation can be used to investigate the conditions that lead to microbial growth in
the indoor environment. |
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