Aerosol Particle Transport trough an Air Curtain: Influence of particle Stokes Number and jet Reynolds Number

Abstract

Air curtains have the potential to reduce the airborne transmission of pathogens, for instance in passenger cabins of aircraft [1] or in train compartments. Prior to their implementation in a future passenger cabin, it is important to understand the particle transport processes through the planar turbulent air curtain jet. To this end, we set up an experimental chamber divided by an adjustable and well-defined planar air curtain jet entering through a nozzle at the top (see Figure 1). A monodisperse aerosol generator (FMAG1520, TSI) was implemented to produce a horizontal aerosol jet against the air curtain to mimic constant human exhalation. We analyzed the spread of particles with diameters between 1 µm and 12 µm, which can be produced by humans when breathing or speaking. To achieve sufficient light refraction for our camera setup, DEHS was selected as particle material and a laser light sheet illumination was used.