Influence of spatial layout on airflow field and particle distribution on the workspace of a factory

The transport of raw materials within factories can lead to contamination in the form of suspended particles. This study used airflow velocity distribution and pollutant distribution to develop a reliable fluid mechanics model for the calculation of dispersion values. We then modified conventional air inlet models with the precondition of maintaining the same inlet volume and proposed a model to optimize airflow based on simulations of particle dispersion and accumulation. Finally, we altered the spatial layout of the building and compared the effects of various factors on the distribution of particulate pollution. Our results demonstrate that the spatial design of the factory significantly influences airflow and therefore the effectiveness of efforts to eliminate particulate matter. When designing factories, one must consider the operations of personnel and in-feed materials and configure air-conditioning systems within the overall layout of the space. To ensure a healthy work environment, airflow field control should be used to plan models for the discharge of harmful substances, according to their source and dispersion paths. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.