Numerical Study of Carbon Dioxide Transport Problem for the Open and Lower Airflow Space in the ISS Module

The current contribution deals with the problem of possible high level of the carbon dioxide concentration when a crewmember works near or inside an open rack where the airflow is less than in the cabin. The Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) model considers the U.S. Laboratory with a port rack open. A crewmember is modeled as a localized source of the carbon dioxide. The paper presents examination of the ability of the current U.S. Laboratory ventilation scenario to prevent potentially dangerous carbon dioxide bubble formation near a crewmember staying at the same position for a long period. The focus of the discussion is on the carbon dioxide spatial/temporal variations with respect to working crewmember safety and comfort.