Airflow and turbulence analysis inside a wide-body aircraft cabin mockup

Abstract

Biological incidents such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome and H1N1 (swine flu) transmission have been detected on flights. Ebola was the latest virus threat on board airflights. Chemical incidents were also detected and reported inside commercial aircraft passengers’ cabins. Odours and fumes from bleed air, as well as viruses, and bacteria can result in serious health hazards for cabin crews and passengers and have an important impact on aircraft air quality. The objective of this study was to understand airflow behaviour, gaseous transport and turbulence characteristics inside a Boeing 767 aircraft 11-row cabin mockup. The experimental results showed that there existed several eddies and circulations inside the cabin with two large-size circulations dominating over the front and middle sections of the cabin mockup. The airflow in the aft section of the cabin was more chaotic and experienced more complex flow characteristics than in other sections of the cabin. In addition to airflow investigation, this article examined the turbulence kinetic energy, turbulence intensity and viscous dissipation rates inside the cabin. Measurements and bias uncertainty calculations were done to investigate the measurements validity. Tracer gas testing showed uncertainty level of ±14%; and that the longitudinal length of the cabin controls the number of air circulations present in the cabin.