Validation of Computational Fluid Dynamics Models for Evaluating Loose-Fitting Powered Air-Purifying Respirators

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bergman, Michael ; Lei Z ; Strickland K ; Xu S ; Zhuang Z
• Description:
  Loose-fitting powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) are used in healthcare settings to reduce exposure to high-risk respiratory pathogens. Innovative computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models were developed for evaluating loose-fitting PAPR performance. However, the computational results of the CFD models have not been validated using actual experimental data. Experimental testing to evaluate particle facepiece leakage was performed in a test laboratory using two models of loose-fitting PAPRs. Each model was mounted on a static (non-moving) advanced headform placed in a sodium chloride (NaCl) aerosol test chamber. The headform performed cyclic breathing via connection to a breathing machine. High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA)-filtered air was supplied directly to the PAPR facepiece using laboratory compressed supplied-air regulated with a mass-flow controller. One model was evaluated with six supplied-air flowrates from 50-215 L/min (Lpm) and the other model with six flowrates from 50-205 Lpm. Three different workrates (minute volumes) were evaluated: low (25 Lpm), moderate 46 (Lpm), and high 88 (Lpm). Manikin penetration factor (mPF) was calculated as the ratio of chamber particle concentration to the in-facepiece concentration. Overall, data analyses indicated that the mPF results from the simulations were well correlated with the experimental laboratory data for all data combined (r = 0.88). For data at the three different workrates (high, moderate, low) for both models combined, the r-values were 0.96, 0.97, and 0.77, respectively. The CFD models of the two PAPR models were validated and may be utilized for further research. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Mining Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Aerosol Particles Aerosols Air Purifying Respirators APR Author Keywords: CFD Exposure Levels Health Care Facilities HEPA Filters High-efficiency Particulate Air Filters Laboratories Leak Prevention Manikin Penetration Factor Models PAPR Particulates Pathogens Powered Air-purifying Respirators Respirators Risk Factors

  More +
• ISBN:
  9783319960883
• ISSN:
  2194-5357
• Publisher:
  Springer
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Proceedings
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 3 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  NPPTL - National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  176-185
• Volume:
  819
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20052731
• Citation:
  Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018): Volume II: Safety and Health, Slips, Trips and Falls, (Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing). Bagnara S, Tartaglia R, Albolino S, Alexander T, Fujita Y eds. Cham, Switzerland: Springer, 2018 Aug; 819:176-185
• Contact Point Address:
  M. Bergman, National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Pittsburgh, PA
• Email:
  mbergman@cdc.gov
• Editor(s):
  Bagnara S; Tartaglia R; Albolino S; Alexander T; Fujita Y
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Source Full Name:
  Proceedings of the 20th Congress of the International Ergonomics Association (IEA 2018): Volume II: Safety and Health, Slips, Trips and Falls, (Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:899bbd621f1a51ca762d2253529c600e7d3db8043cdee82527a99a4dd1ba37954ab935b49e673f30e914c0ad7f00a5e170ea7a36db4881f9882722594b5c8c46
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/212209/cdc_212209_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 1.58 MB ]