Numerical Investigation of Airflow Dynamics and Thermal Comfort in Space Station Habitats Under Microgravity Conditions
Aerotecnica Missili and Spazio, cilt.105, sa.3, ss.333-350, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 105 Sayı: 3
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s42496-025-00283-3
- Dergi Adı: Aerotecnica Missili and Spazio
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.333-350
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Computational fluid dynamic, Effective draft temperature, Microgravity, Space station, Thermal comfort
- Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In a space station, maintaining a homogeneous distribution of airflow under microgravity conditions is essential for ensuring thermal comfort, removing contaminants, and managing heat dissipation. This study employed computational fluid dynamics (CFD) methods to analyze airflow distribution and thermal comfort within a space station cabin. The numerical simulations examined the impact of varying air supply angles (25, 35 and 45°) on ventilation efficiency and temperature distribution. The results demonstrated that: (i) the lowest ventilation efficiency and the least effective airflow distribution occurred at an air supply angle of 25°, leading to inefficient air circulation and localized thermal discomfort; (ii) the air supply angle of 35° provided the most optimal thermal comfort conditions, with effective draft temperature (EDT) values closest to zero, ensuring minimal temperature fluctuations and avoiding excessive heating or cooling; (iii) although the air supply angle of 45° facilitated better airflow uniformity, it introduced noticeable cooling effects, slightly shifting the temperature distribution towards lower values; (iv) the EDT analysis confirmed that while all three angles maintained a thermally comfortable environment within the acceptable range of − 1.7 K to 1.1 K, the 35° configuration provided the best balance between ventilation efficiency and thermal stability. These findings suggest that optimizing the air supply angle can significantly enhance air distribution and occupant comfort in microgravity environments, with 35° emerging as the most favorable configuration for achieving stable thermal conditions inside the space station cabin.