Numerical investigation for optimization of indoor air distribution with air curtain in clean operating room under operational condition

The indoor air quality inside the operating room (OR) is of great significance to reduce the infectious risk on patient. Although the performances of OR under as-built and at-rest conditions have been verified by third-party test agency, the performance under operational condition is quite different. In order to obtain the characteristic of indoor air distribution under operational condition, the influences of the particle release from the cloth on medical staff were considered. The transmission features of particles before and after the application of air curtain in OR were compared. Results show that the heat and particle release from both the medical equipment and the medical staff exerts significant influence on the dynamic characteristic of indoor air distribution. The indoor air quality inside the critical surgical area can be improved when suitable air curtain parameters were used. However, without serious consideration on the performance of air curtain supply system, the ventilation performance of OR may be poorer than that with unidirectional airflow system only. This study provides a scientific support for creating and sustaining a safe indoor environment inside OR.