Vertical flow of germs in a building shaft: physical and microbiological measurements and development of an analogous mathematical model
Münch, W.; Rüden, H.; Schkalle, Y.D.; Thiele, F.
Zentralblatt für Bakteriologie Mikrobiologie und Hygiene. Serie B Umwelthygiene Krankenhaushygiene Arbeitshygiene Praventive Medizin 184(3-4): 336-358
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0932-6073 PMID: 3116793 Document Number: 302529
The air flow and the concentration of microorganisms have been measured in the stair shaft of a hospital. A diving bell-type of pressure-recording instrument and samplers for the microorganisms (impaction device) were used. With this experimental data the flow rate of microorganisms between the floors of the hospital was calculated. A physical model based on numerical calculations using simplified transport equations is proposed, which would be able to predict the flow field and the distribution of microorganisms in a staircase. The calculations have been executed up to a Reynolds number of 400 when the Schmidt number is 0.5 and 1.0. This numerical method can help to reduce the experimental work, as well as, to investigate unknown transport mechanisms of organic and inorganic substances including microorganisms.