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An application of aeronautical techniques to physiology 2. Particle transport within the human microenvironment

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Abstract

The natural convection boundary layer surrounding the human body is capable of transporting particles such as dust, skin scales, pollens and spores and provides a link in the chain of airborne infection. Experiments have made in a laminar flow channel and in the flow over a full-sized heated model of the human form to visualise and analyse the trajectories of these particles.

Sommaire

A l'intérieur de la zone de convection naturelle qui entoure le corps de l'homme, s'effectue le transport de particules telles que poussières, écailles de peau, pollens et spores qui constituent un maillon dans la chaîne des infections se transmettant par l'air. On a conduit des expériences dans un écoulement laminaire ainsi que dans l'écoulement se produisant autour d'un mannequin chauffé en grandeur nature d'un corps humain afin de visualiser et d'analyser les trajectoires de ces particules.

Zusammenfassung

Die natürliche Konvektionsgrenzchicht, die den menschlichen Körper umgibt, kann Partikel wie Staub, Hautschuppen, Pollen und Sporen transportieren und bildet damit ein Glied in der Kette durch die Luft übertragener Infektion. Versuche wurden angestellt in einem Laminarströmungskanal bzw. im Strömungsbild eines lebensgroßen erwärmten Modells der menschlichen Form, um die Flugbahnen dieser Partikel sichtbar zu machen und zu analysieren.

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Abbreviations

μm:

micrometre

u t :

particle terminal fall velocity

Re :

particle Reynolds numberU t d/v=inertia forces/viscous forces

v :

kinematic viscosity of air

U :

air velocity

d :

particle diameter

C t :

particle lift coefficient-L/1/2ρu 2 S

L :

lift force on particle

S :

particle projected area

C d :

particle drag coefficient=D/1/2ρU 2 S

D :

drag force on particle

ρ:

air density

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Clark, R.P., Cox, R.N. An application of aeronautical techniques to physiology 2. Particle transport within the human microenvironment. Med. & biol. Engng. 12, 275–279 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477791

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02477791

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