5th North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management

CFD Analysis on Air Ventilation at a Manufacturing Plant as a Tool for Designing Machine Layout, a Case Study

Jorge Kurita, Mirna Limousin, Nicolas Ferreira & Jose Ozuna
Publisher: IEOM Society International
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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic hit industry worldwide. One of the key factors to spread this virus is the airflow in an enclosed environment. Proper air ventilation should minimize, in a combination of the use of personal protective equipment, the spread of this airborne virus. Stagnant air locations in a plant are potential sources of contaminant concentration. Therefore, it is important to identify these hot spots first. Then, by moving machines, equipment, and people working areas, it will allow proper airflow in order to avoid the formation of stagnant points. This type of CFD analysis should set the benchmark for future plant machine layout standards under the context of this pandemic. The work presented here is a case study on a small chemical industry in Paraguay. Results of CFD analysis on air ventilation by changing the working area showed significant improvement in ventilation. This allowed industry management to reopen factories keeping its employees safe confidently.

Published in: 5th North American International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management, Detroit, USA

Publisher: IEOM Society International
Date of Conference: August 9-11, 2020

ISBN: 978-0-9855497-8-7
ISSN/E-ISSN: 2169-8767