Open Access

ARTICLE

Efficiency of a Modular Cleanroom for Space Applications

Matthew R. Coburn¹, Charlie Young², Chris Smith², Graham Schultz², Miguel Robayo³, Zheng-Tong Xie^1,*

1 Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
2 Plastron UK Ltd., Westcott Venture Park, Westcott, HP18 0XB, UK
3 Renewable Energy Group, University of Exeter, Exeter, TR10 9FE, UK

* Corresponding Author: Zheng-Tong Xie. Email:

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: The Progress in Building Indoor Air Quality: Indoor Airflow and Pollutant Control)

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2024, 20(3), 547-562. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2023.028601

Received 28 December 2022; Accepted 01 August 2023; Issue published 12 January 2024

Abstract

A prototype cleanroom for hazardous testing and handling of satellites prior to launcher encapsulation, satisfying the ISO8 standard has been designed and analyzed in terms of performances. Unsteady Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) models have been used to study the related flow field and particulate matter (PM) dispersion. The outcomes of the URANS models have been validated through comparison with equivalent large-eddy simulations. Special attention has been paid to the location and shape of the air intakes and their orientation in space, in order to balance the PM convection and diffusion inside the cleanroom. Forming a cyclone-type flow pattern inside the cleanroom is a key to maintaining a high ventilation efficiency.

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Keywords

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