Full-size experimental assessmentof the aerodynamic sealing of aircurtains for particulate matter

Abstract

An air curtain is used to ensure an adequate separation between two compartments that is aimed torestrict, a clean one and a contaminated one. The air curtain performance is improved with the use of anair extraction from the “contaminated” compartment. The aerodynamic sealing of an optimized aircurtain is assessed regarding particulate matter. The evaluation using visual assessment of the aerody-namic sealing using a cold smoke source is validated against PM 10 detection.It is shown that the air curtain presents a good aerodynamic sealing for the particulate of PM10 and PM2.5classes and that the visual assessment method can lead to similar results. An equation was obtained with aview to be used to predict the level of aerodynamic sealing of the air curtain when the exhaust ratebecomes too low. Another equation was obtained for predicting the average velocity through the doorprotected by the air curtain required to obtain an aerodynamic sealing, as a function of the jet parameters(nozzle average velocity and thickness). These test results prove that the air curtain, complemented withan air exhaust from the “contaminated compartment”, is suitable to provide an acceptable aerodynamicsealing for the particulate matter.