Skip to main content
Log in

Particle deposition in ventilation ducts: A review

  • Review Article
  • Indoor/Outdoor Airflow and Air Quality
  • Published:
Building Simulation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper reviewed particle deposition behaviors and mechanisms in turbulent ventilation duct flows. The main theoretical prediction models, experimental techniques and numerical methods used to explore particle deposition were discussed and analyzed. It was observed that turbophoresis, Brownian diffusion, turbulent diffusion and gravitational settling are the main mechanisms of particle deposition in smooth duct flows. The important factors influencing particle deposition behaviors and mechanisms are duct inclination angle, thermophoresis, electrophoresis and surface ribs. Numerical simulation was shown to be the main tool used to investigate complex particle deposition in turbulent duct flows. However, it is necessary to develop accurate experimental measures of particle deposition in complex turbulent duct flows.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdolzadeh M, Mehrabian MA, Zahedi G, Soltani Goharrizi A (2011a). Numerical study to predict the particle deposition under the influence of operating forces on a tilted surface in the turbulent flow. Advanced Powder Technology, 22: 405–415.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdolzadeh M, Mehrabian MA (2011b). Combined effect of thermophoretic force and other influencing parameters on the particle deposition rate on a tilted rough surface. International Journal of Thermal Sciences, 50: 954–964.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdolzadeh M, Mehrabian MA, Soltani Goharrizi A (2011c). Predicting the particle deposition characteristics using a modified Eulerian method on a tilted surface in the turbulent flow. Particulate Science and Technology, 29: 503–525.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdolzadeh M, Mehrabian MA, Akbarinia A (2011d). Application of a modified Eulerian model to study the particle deposition on a vertical surface in turbulent flow. Powder Technology, 214: 83–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdolzadeh M, Mehrabian MA, Soltani Goharrizi A (2011e). Effect of thermophoresis and other parameters on the particle deposition on a tilted surface. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 32: 670–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bakanov SP (1991). Thermophoresis in gases at small knudsen numbers. Aerosol Science and Technology, 15: 77–92.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Barth T, Reiche M, Banowski M, Oppermann M, Hampel U (2013). Experimental investigation of multilayer particle deposition and resuspension between periodic steps in turbulent flows. Journal of Aerosol Science, 64: 111–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Blocken B (2018). LES over RANS in building simulation for outdoor and indoor applications: A foregone conclusion? Building Simulation, 11: 821–870.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brock JR (1962). On the theory of thermal forces acting on aerosol particles. Journal of Colloid Science, 17: 768–780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Caporaloni M, Tampieri F, Trombetti F, Vittori O (1975). Transfer of particles in nonisotropic air turbulence. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 32: 565–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Q, Zhang Z (2005). Prediction of particle transport in enclosed environment. China Particuology, 3: 364–372.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Q (2009). Ventilation performance prediction for buildings: A method overview and recent applications. Building and Environment, 44: 848–858.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cheng YS (1997). Wall deposition of radon progeny and particles in a spherical chamber. Aerosol Science and Technology, 27: 131–146.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cooper DW, Peters MH, Miller RJ (1989). Predicted deposition of submicronmeter particles due to diffusion and electrostatics in viscous axisymmetric stagnation-point flow. Aerosol Science and Technology, 11: 133–143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El-Shobokshy MS (1983). Experimental measurements of aerosol deposition to smooth and rough surfaces. Atmospheric Environment, 17: 639–644.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fan FG, Ahmadi G (1994). On the sublayer model for turbulent deposition of aerosol particles in the presence of gravity and electric fields. Aerosol Science and Technology, 21: 49–71.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedlander SK, Johnstone HF (1957). Deposition of suspended particles from turbulent gas streams. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 49: 1151–1156.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao NP, Niu JL (2007). Modeling particle dispersion and deposition in indoor environments. Atmospheric Environment, 41: 3862–3876.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao N, Niu J, He Q, Zhu T, Wu J (2012). Using RANS turbulence models and Lagrangian approach to predict particle deposition in turbulent channel flows. Building and Environment, 48: 206–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gao J, Zeng L, Cao C, Ye W, Zhang X (2018). Multi-objective optimization for sensor placement against suddenly released contaminant in air duct system. Building Simulation, 11: 139–153.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guha A (2008). Transport and deposition of particles in turbulent and laminar flow. Annual Review of Fluid Mechanics, 40: 311–341.

    Article  MathSciNet  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Hahn LA, Stukel JJ, Leong KH, Hopke PK (1985). Turbulent deposition of submicron particles on rough walls. Journal of Aerosol Science, 16: 81–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hartmann GC, Marks LM, Yang CC (1976). Physical models for photoactive pigment electrophotography. Journal of Applied Physics, 47: 5409–5420.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He C, Ahmadi G (1998). Particle deposition with thermophoresis in laminar and turbulent duct flows. Aerosol Science and Technology, 29: 525–546.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He C, Ahmadi G (1999). Particle deposition in a nearly developed turbulent duct flow with electrophoresis. Journal of Aerosol Science, 30: 739–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hidy GM (1984). Aerosols: An Industrial and Environmental Science. New York: Academic Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jiang H, Lu L, Sun K (2010). Simulation of particle deposition in ventilation duct with a particle-wall impact model. Building and Environment, 45: 1184–1191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang H, Lu L, Sun K (2011). Experimental study and numerical investigation of particle penetration and deposition in 90° bent ventilation ducts. Building and Environment, 46: 2195–2202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang H, Lu L, Sun K (2012). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling of particle deposition in a two-dimensional turbulent channel air flow: Study of influence factors. Indoor and Built Environment, 21: 264–272.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Y, Lu L, Lu H (2016). A novel model to estimate the cleaning frequency for dirty solar photovoltaic (PV) modules in desert environment. Solar Energy, 140: 236–240.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kallio GA, Reeks MW (1989). A numerical simulation of particle deposition in turbulent boundary layers. International Journal of Multiphase Flow, 15: 433–446.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kato S, Yang JH (2008). Study on inhaled air quality in a personal air-conditioning environment using new scales of ventilation efficiency. Building and Environment, 43: 494–507.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim J, Moin P, Moser R (1987). Turbulence statistics in fully developed channel flow at low Reynolds number. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 177: 133–166.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Byrne MA, Goddard AJH (1999). Measured deposition of aerosol particles on a two-dimensional ribbed surface in a turbulent duct flow. Journal of Aerosol Science, 30: 1201–1214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Nazaroff WW (2000). Modeling indoor particle deposition from turbulent flow onto smooth surfaces. Journal of Aerosol Science, 31: 463–476.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Byrne MA, Goddard AJH (2000). Enhanced particle loss in ventilation duct with ribbed surface. Building and Environment, 35: 425–432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Byrne MA, Goddard AJH (2001). Aerosol deposition in turbulent channel flow on a regular array of three-dimensional roughness elements. Journal of Aerosol Science, 32: 121–137.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK (2002). Particle deposition indoors: A review. Indoor Air, 12: 211–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Byrne MA, Goddard AJH (2002). Particle deposition in ventilation duct onto three-dimensional roughness elements. Building and Environment, 37: 939–945.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK (2005). Modeling indoor coarse particle deposition onto smooth and rough vertical surfaces. Atmospheric Environment, 39: 3823–3830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Nazaroff WW (2005). Supermicron particle deposition from turbulent chamber flow onto smooth and rough vertical surfaces. Atmospheric Environment, 39: 4893–4900.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai ACK, Chen FZ (2006). Modeling particle deposition and distribution in a chamber with a two-equation Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes model. Journal of Aerosol Science, 37: 1770–1780.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lecrivain G Sevan D-M, Thomas B, Hampel U (2014). Numerical simulation of multilayer deposition in an obstructed channel flow. Advanced Powder Technology, 25: 310–320.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leeming AD (1997). Particle deposition from turbulent flows. PhD Thesis, Cambridge University, UK.

    MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Lee KW, Gieseke JA (1994). Deposition of particles in turbulent pipe flows. Journal of Aerosol Science, 25: 699–709.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li A, Ahmadi G (1992). Dispersion and deposition of spherical particles from point sources in a turbulent channel flow. Aerosol Science and Technology, 16: 209–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li A, Ahmadi G (1993). Deposition of aerosols on surfaces in a turbulent channel flow. International Journal of Engineering Science, 31: 435–451.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li A, Ahmadi G (1995). Computer simulation of particle deposition in the upper tracheobronchial tree. Aerosol Science and Technology, 23: 201–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Davis EJ (1995a). Measurement of the thermophoretic force by electrodynamic levitation: Microspheres in air. Journal of Aerosol Science, 26: 1063–1083.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li W, Davis EJ (1995b). The effects of gas and particle properties on thermophoresis. Journal of Aerosol Science, 26: 1085–1099.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liou TM, Hwang JJ, Chen SH (1993). Simulation and measurement of enhanced turbulent heat transfer in a channel with periodic ribs on one principal wall. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 36: 507–517.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liu BYH, Agarwal JK (1974). Experimental observation of aerosol deposition in turbulent flow. Journal of Aerosol Science, 5: 145–155.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lo Iacono G, Tucker PG, Reynolds AM (2005). Predictions for particle deposition from LES of ribbed channel flow. International Journal of Heat and Fluid Flow, 26: 558–568.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L (2015a). Numerical investigation on particle deposition enhancement in duct air flow by ribbed wall. Building and Environment, 85: 61–72.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L (2015b). Effects of rib spacing and height on particle deposition in ribbed duct air flows. Building and Environment, 92: 317–327.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L (2015c). A numerical study of particle deposition in ribbed duct flow with different rib shapes. Building and Environment, 94: 43–53.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L (2016). CFD investigation on particle deposition in aligned and staggered ribbed duct air flows. Applied Thermal Engineering, 93: 697–706.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L, Jiang Y (2016). Numerical simulation of particle deposition in duct air flows with uniform, expanding or contracting crosssection. Energy and Buildings, 128: 867–875.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lu H, Lu L, Jiang Y (2017). Numerical study of monodispersed particle deposition rates in variable-section ducts with different expanding or contracting ratios. Applied Thermal Engineering, 110: 150–161.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Majlesara M, Salmanzadeh M, Ahmadi G (2013). A model for particles deposition in turbulent inclined channels. Journal of Aerosol Science, 64: 37–47.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Montassier N, Boulaud D, Renoux A (1991). Experimental study of thermophoretic particle deposition in laminar tube flow. Journal of Aerosol Science, 22: 677–687.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazaroff WW (2004). Indoor particle dynamics. Indoor Air, 14: 175–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazaroff WW (2008). Inhalation intake fraction of pollutants from episodic indoor emissions. Building and Environment, 43: 269–277.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okamoto S, Seo S, Nakaso K, Kawai I (1993). Turbulent shear flow and heat transfer over the repeated two-dimensional square ribs on ground plane. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 115: 631–637.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ounis H, Ahmadi G, McLaughlin JB (1993). Brownian particle deposition in a directly simulated turbulent channel flow. Physics of Fluids A: Fluid Dynamics, 5: 1427–1432.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Piskunov VN (2009). Parameterization of aerosol dry deposition velocities onto smooth and rough surfaces. Journal of Aerosol Science, 40: 664–679.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Postma AK, Schwendiman LC (1960). Studies in micrometrics: I. Particle deposition in conduits as a source of error in aerosol sampling. Report HW-65308, Richland, Washington: Hanford Laboratory.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pratsinis SE, Kim KS (1989). Particle coagulation, diffusion and thermophoresis in laminar tube flows. Journal of Aerosol Science, 20: 101–111.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roff MW (1994). A novel lighting system for the measurement of dermal exposure using a fluorescent dye and an image processor. Annals of Occupational Hygiene, 38: 903–919.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sehmel GA (1970). Particle deposition from turbulent air flow. Journal of Geophysical Research, 75: 1766–1781.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shimada M, Okuyama K, Asai M (1993). Depostition of submicron aerosol particles in turbulent and transitional flow. AIChE Journal, 39: 17–26.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sippola MR, Nazaroff WW (2004). Experiments measuring particle deposition from fully developed turbulent flow in ventilation ducts. Aerosol Science and Technology, 38: 914–925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soltani M Mehdi S, Ahmadi G (1999). Charged particle trajectory statistics and deposition in a turbulent channel flow. Aerosol Science and Technology, 31: 170–186.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suh YJ, Kim SS (1996). Effect of obstructions on the particle collection efficiency in a two-stage electrostatic precipitator. Journal of Aerosol Science, 27: 61–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun W, Ji J, Li Y, Xie X (2007). Dispersion and settling characteristics of evaporating droplets in ventilated room. Building and Environment, 42: 1011–1017.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun K, Lu L, Jiang H (2011a). Modelling of particle deposition and rebound behaviour on ventilation ducting wall using an improved wall model. Indoor and Built Environment, 20: 300–312.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun K, Lu L, Jiang H (2011b). A computational investigation of particle distribution and deposition in a 90° bend incorporating a particle-wall model. Building and Environment, 46: 1251–1262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun K, Lu L, Jiang H (2012). A numerical study of bend-induced particle deposition in and behind duct bends. Building and Environment, 52: 77–87.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun K, Lu L, Jiang H, Jin HH (2013). Experimental study of solid particle deposition in 90 ventilated bends of rectangular cross section with turbulent flow. Aerosol Science and Technology, 47: 115–124.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sun K, Lu L (2013). Particle flow behavior of distribution and deposition throughout 90° bends: Analysis of influencing factors. Journal of Aerosol Science, 65: 26–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian L, Ahmadi G (2007). Particle deposition in turbulent duct flows—Comparisons of different model predictions. Journal of Aerosol Science, 38: 377–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot L, Cheng RK, Schefer RW, Willis DR (1980). Thermophoresis of particles in a heated boundary layer. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 101: 737–758.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tian ZF, Tu JY, Yeoh GH, Yuen RKK (2007). Numerical studies of indoor airflow and particle dispersion by large eddy simulation. Building and Environment, 42: 3483–3492.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vincent JH, MacLennan ASM (1980). Aerodynamic considerations in electrostatic precipitaton. Journal of Electrostatics, 8: 325–342.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Chen Q (2007). Theoretical and numerical studies of coupling multizone and CFD models for building air distribution simulations. Indoor Air, 17: 348–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wells AC, Chamberlain AC (1967). Transport of small particles to vertical surfaces. British Journal of Applied Physics, 18: 1793–1799.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wood NB (1981). A simple method for the calculation of turbulent deposition to smooth and rough surfaces. Journal of Aerosol Science, 12: 275–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu Y, Niu J, Liu X (2018). Air infiltration induced inter-unit dispersion and infectious risk assessment in a high-rise residential building. Building Simulation, 11: 193–202.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • You C, Li G (2008). Direct numerical simulation of microparticle motion in channel flow with thermophoresis. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 134: 138–144.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • You R, Zhao B, Chen C (2012). Developing an empirical equation for modeling particle deposition velocity onto inclined surfaces in indoor environments. Aerosol Science and Technology, 46: 1090–1099.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zahmatkesh I (2008). On the importance of thermophoresis and Brownian diffusion for the deposition of micro- and nanoparticles. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 35: 369–375.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhai Z, Jin Q (2018). Identifying decaying contaminant source location in building HVAC system using the adjoint probability method. Building Simulation, 11: 1029–1038.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang HF, Ahmadi G (2000). Aerosol particle transport and deposition in vertical and horizontal turbulent duct flows. Journal of Fluid Mechanics, 406: 55–80.

    Article  MATH  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Z, Chen Q (2007). Comparison of the Eulerian and Lagrangian methods for predicting particle transport in enclosed spaces. Atmospheric Environment, 41: 5236–5248.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao B, Zhang Z, Li X (2005). Numerical study of the transport of droplets or particles generated by respiratory system indoors. Building and Environment, 40: 1032–1039.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao B, Wu J (2006a). Modeling particle deposition from fully developed turbulent flow in ventilation duct. Atmospheric Environment, 40: 457–466.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao B, Wu J (2006b). Modeling particle deposition onto rough walls in ventilation duct. Atmospheric Environment, 40: 6918–6927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao B, Yang C, Yang X, Liu S (2008). Particle dispersion and deposition in ventilated rooms: Testing and evaluation of different Eulerian and Lagrangian models. Building and Environment, 43: 388–397.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao Y, Zhao B (2018). Emissions of air pollutants from Chinese cooking: A literature review. Building Simulation, 11: 977–995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors appreciate the financial supports provided by “Xinghua Scholar Talents Plan”of South China University of Technology (K5183300), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Postdoctoral Fellowships Scheme (G-YW0K) and Shenzhen Peacock Plan (KQTD2015071616442225).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Hao Lu or Yuanhao Wang.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Lu, H., Wang, Y. Particle deposition in ventilation ducts: A review. Build. Simul. 12, 723–734 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-019-0522-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12273-019-0522-8

Keywords

Navigation