Interaction between a local and a general ventilation system for an operating room with patient

The aim of this study is to determine how the airflow from a unidirectional airflow (UAF) system and a local ventilation system will interact with each other. The airflow velocities used are within the usual ranges recommended by literature. The research was conducted by numerical and experimental studies. The numerical case represents an operating room (OR) with a UAF diffuser, a local ventilation system, known as a mobile laminar airflow (MLAF) and outlet diffusers. The experimental campaigns were made to determine the thermal plume from a patient using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and thermography (IR). From the thermal plume study, it has been noticed that velocities ≥0.2 m/s from the UAF can overcome the thermal plume generated by a human subject with a moderate activity. The studies reveal that velocities from the local ventilation system need to be higher with at least 0.1 m/s, in order to avoid disturbances generated from the LAF system.