CONTAMINANT CONTROL IN INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) USING CFD MODELING

Computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis is used to simulate and compare the removal of microbes using a number of different ventilation systems in hospitals. The primary objective of ventilation system design in hospital is to place the patient at no risk of infection while hospitalization. Normally hospitals are considered to be clean and free from pathogens which are actually not true. Due to the complex environment of hospital, the effective ventilation for comfort of patients & control of infections must be given highest priority. Intensive care represents the highest level of continuing patient care and treatment. Therefore a turbulent airflow study has been performed in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of hospital The present investigation stresses preventing airborne infections, protecting the doctor and other patient in ICU, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT. In which, Navier Stokes and energy equations in threedimensional co-ordinates have been solved by control volume method. The SIMPLE algorithms are used to solve these equations. Steady state, k-ε turbulence model and incompressible flow of a constant property fluid have been considered. The tracking of massless contaminated particle (infection) has also been carried out by simulation. It is observed that remote pocket of the room where air circulation is not proper, is not healthy for the patients as well as doctor. Therefore suitable ventilation arrangement must be provided for healthy environment in the hospital