Airflow inside an open ventilated system: Influence of operator’s arms or moving conveyor Original Research Article

This study deals with the influence of static and dynamic objects on the airflow (generated by a unidirectional air supply) inside an “open” ventilated system used in an agro-food production line. Firstly, the presence of operator’s arms, considered here as objects, leads to the appearance of recirculating zones under each arm. The influence of different positions of the static arms protected by gloves on the airflow organization has been studied. Secondly, modifications induced by the motion of a conveyor system or of moving arms on the airflow have been explored. In an experimental approach, airflow organization has been studied by visualization and by Particle Image Velocimetry for static cases and moving conveyor case. Numerical simulations were carried out using Computational Fluids Dynamics codes. Results obtained for moving gloves cases highlight the contribution of dynamic meshes tools, implemented in the CFD codes to make simulations of moving objects.