A commercially available computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software program
, specific for HVAC systems, was used to study the performance of an aerody
namic fume cupboard. The numerical results showed good qualitative agreemen
t with physical measurements giving confidence in the CFD model to simulate
and predict overall fume cupboard performance. However, there were some qu
antitative differences specifically around 'aerodynamic' features that coul
d not be accurately simulated by the software code. The CFD model,vas clear
ly able to demonstrate differences in performance between good and bad cupb
oard designs, and show the importance of using rear baffles and lipfoils, I
t also showed the importance of good design features when a 'worker' was st
anding against the front edge or when there were draughts in front of the a
perture. The computer model was used to simulate the gas tracer containment
test method described in BS 7258 (1994) [Laboratory Fume Cupboards], and h
ad a much greater sensitivity than the recommended physical measuring instr
uments. The results given in this paper demonstrate the potential for using
a commercially available software package for the optimisation of fume cup
board design and testing, It also indicates the economy of using CFD compar
ed with building a prototype and testing a model. (C) 2000 British Occupati
onal Hygiene Society. Published by Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve
d.