Exposure assessment involving entrainment during human motion in the indoor environment

Recent experimental studies have shown the effects of motion on the human thermal plume (Settles). When utilizing low speed ventilation designs, this natural convection is a primary driving force of the flow. Interference with this flow reduces the effectiveness of a displacement design and therein reduces air quality and comfort levels in the indoor environment. Human motion has been found to increase mixing in a room (Mora and Gadgil) with displacement ventilation, a negative effect due to the nature of the design. This investigation is the culmination of PDA and PIV measurements around a thermal manikin and the direct impact seated human rotation has on air velocity, particle concentration and size associated with the thermal plume. This common indoor motion in a cubicle setting may assist in exposure studies and ventilation design to determine the effectiveness of displacement style ventilation in a near realistic setting.