Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO2 Levels inside a Classroom

Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, guaranteeing thermal comfort and low CO2 levels in classrooms through efficient ventilation has become vitally important. This study presents three-dimensional simulations based on computational fluid dynamics of airflow inside an air-conditioned classroom locat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2022-03, Vol.19 (5), p.2956
Main Authors: Ovando-Chacon, Guillermo Efren, Rodríguez-León, Abelardo, Ovando-Chacon, Sandy Luz, Hernández-Ordoñez, Martín, Díaz-González, Mario, Pozos-Texon, Felipe de Jesús
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air conditioners
Air conditioning
Air flow
Air temperature
Carbon dioxide
Classrooms
Climate change
Computational fluid dynamics
Computer applications
COVID-19
Fluid dynamics
Fluid flow
Heat
Hydrodynamics
Numerical analysis
Pandemics
Pollutants
Pollution sources
Reynolds number
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Simulation
Students
Teachers
Ventilation
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Summary:Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, guaranteeing thermal comfort and low CO2 levels in classrooms through efficient ventilation has become vitally important. This study presents three-dimensional simulations based on computational fluid dynamics of airflow inside an air-conditioned classroom located in Veracruz, Mexico. The analysis included various positions of an air extractor, Reynolds numbers up to 3.5 × 104, four different concentrations of pollutant sources, and three different times of the day. The simulations produced velocity, air temperature, and CO2 concentrations fields, and we calculated average air temperatures, average CO2 concentrations, and overall ventilation effectiveness. Our results revealed an optimal extractor position and Reynolds number conducive to thermal comfort and low CO2 levels due to an adequate ventilation configuration. At high pollutant concentrations, it is necessary to reduce the number of students in the classroom to achieve safe CO2 levels.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph19052956