Research Project Summary

Supply of clean air close to occupants, known as personalized ventilation, has potential for substantial improvement of inhaled

air quality, occupants’ thermal comfort and decreasing the risk of airborne transmission of infectious agents. It has also

potential for energy savings. At present design of personalized air distribution systems is difficult. The key problem is the lack

of knowledge on the interaction of the personalized flow with the free convection flow which exists around human body. The

penetration of the free convection flow by the personalized flow determines the inhaled air quality and the heat loss from the

body, e.g. occupants’ thermal comfort. With this respect control of thickness and strength of the free convection flow is

important. Furthermore in order to achieve 100% clean air in inhalation it is crucial that the personalized flow has long initial

region where the supplied clean air is not mixed with the polluted surrounding air.

The overall objective of this research is to study the complex interaction of personalized ventilation flow supplied at the vicinity

of human body with the free convection flow which exists around the body. The specific objectives of the study are:

To study and develop air supply diffusers for generating personalized flow with long initial region of clean air and to
identify methods for control of its characteristics;
To study and identify the most important factors and their impact on the development of the free convection flow around
human body and to develop methods for control of its characteristics, e.g. thickness and strength;
To study the interaction of the personalized flow and the free convection flow around human body under different
conditions and the means for its control;
To develop recommendation for design and application of personalized ventilation in practice which will ensure its optimal
performance.

The proposed research is a crucial step absolutely needed for the industry for development and application of optimally

performed personalized ventilation systems in practice.