Ventilation System and Particle Dispersion Analysis of Operation Theater using CFD

Hospitals are indispensable for a civilized society. However, hospitals now days, due to improper maintenance or ill placed ventilation systems, contributes towards many respiratory diseases. Based on the studies, the third most frequently reported Infections are surgical site infection (SSIs) that contribute appreciably during hospitalization.

The indoor air quality of the enclosure depends on many factors such as thermal environment, airflow/ air exchange rate, indoor generation of pollutants, moisture content, outdoor air quality and how the air is supplied into the enclosure. The objective of the present study is to examine the air distribution, indoor air quality and thermal comfort related issues by using CFD as a tool for an enclosure which resembles as Operation Theater. The setup for serving the air into the enclosure is a crucial factor as it ascertains the temperature and contaminants distribution based on the air velocity, location of the inlet diffuser and placement of the contaminant’s source.

This paper uses the Standard k-ℇ model and Lagrangian approach to simulate the contaminants dispersion in the operating theater. The simulated result involves consideration of various cases, differing on the location of the air inlet and outlet to the enclosure, and the corresponding contaminant dispersion are analyzed for the mean and maximum particle residence time and the air velocity.