Diagonal air-distribution system for operating rooms: experiment and modeling

The airflow patterns and the diffusion of contaminants in an operating room with a diagonal air-distribution system were subjected to both experimental measurements and numerical modeling. The experiments were carried out in MINIBAT test cell equipped with an operating table, a medical lamp and a manikin representing the surgeon. Air velocity and tracer-gas concentration were measured automatically at more than 700 points. The numerical simulations were performed using EXP′AIR software developed by Air Liquide for analyzing air quality in operating rooms. Only isothermal conditions were investigated in this comparison with the numerical software. The results showed that the contaminant distribution depended strongly on the presence of obstacles such as medical equipment and staff.