Numerical Investigation of Air Purifier Affecting Ultrafine Particle Transport in Vehicle Cabins 2014-01-0682

Air purifier has been prevalently used in the passenger vehicle cabins to reduce in-cabin UltraFine Particle (UFP) concentration. In this study, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) was applied to simulate the in-cabin UFP transport and distribution under different ventilation modes with different characteristics of the air purifier. Ventilation settings, air purifier settings, and air purifier location were identified as the important factors determining the in-cabin UFP distribution and transport. Downward ventilation airflow direction and smaller ventilation air velocity can be considered by the drivers for a lower in-cabin UFP concentration. Upward airflow direction from the air purifier's inlet and larger air velocity were recommended since it led up to 50% in-cabin UFP reduction. Air purifier installed at middle ceiling of the cabin develops the most efficient airflow for UFP removal. Explicit relationships between in-cabin UFP distribution and the air purifier settings were presented as a reference to facilitate cabin air purifier design for more efficient in-cabin UFP removal.