Original Article

Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Airflow and Air Pattern in the Living Room for Reducing Coronavirus Exposure

Abstract

Background: Research on Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in residential settings is limited, despite its importance for occupant health—especially during pandemics like COVID-19. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a valuable tool for assessing IAQ parameters. This study aims to apply CFD to simulate air movement and velocity patterns in a living room to identify strategies for reducing coronavirus exposure.
Methods: A 3D model of a living room was created using GAMBIT software. Airflow simulations were performed using ANSYS FLUENT. The CFD model was validated by comparing computed air velocities with experimental measurements. Twelve scenarios were simulated, considering four different air supply locations and three Air Changes per Hour (ACH) rates (3, 6, and 8).
Results: The validation showed a maximum error of 14% and a root mean square error of 0.1 for air velocity, confirming the model’s accuracy. Analytical calculations for a 10 μm particle showed a terminal settling velocity of 0.302 × 10⁻² m/s and stopping distances of 0.0089 m and 0.011 m for breathing and talking, respectively. The highest mean air velocity (0.31 m/s at 1.1 m height) was achieved in Scenario 4 with an ACH of 8.
Conclusion: The location of the air supply and the ventilation rate significantly impact airflow patterns and can reduce exposure to airborne pathogens. Using mechanical ventilation and avoiding family gatherings are crucial for exposure control. The findings suggest that strategic ventilation design is essential for creating healthier indoor environments during a pandemic.

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IssueVol 17 No 2 (2025) QRcode
SectionOriginal Article(s)
Published2025-12-09
Keywords
CFD simulation air velocity airflow pattern living room coronavirus
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Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
1.
Ashrafi K, Mohammadi H, Bayatian M, Amiri Z, Jafari E. Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation of Airflow and Air Pattern in the Living Room for Reducing Coronavirus Exposure. Int J Occup Hyg. 2025;17(2):125-137.