Climate (Room)

Climate (Room)

© Fraunhofer IBP
Distribution of particles emitted by an infectious passenger in a train carriage

Our scientists research the climate in means of transportation with a focus on the development and validation of the overall system under real conditions with different climate control solutions. They examine a wide variety of mobile geometries from an energy and indoor climate perspective as well as with regard to comfort and hygiene requirements. As part of national, European and international projects for manufacturers and suppliers to the mobility industry, the thermal comfort of occupants, thermodynamic relationships and pathways for the spread of germs are examined.

Based on the ventilation strategies in the train compartment and the distribution of heat, emission and pathogen sources in the form of passengers, technical equipment and furnishings, the local temperature and concentration distribution in the carriage can be calculated. The “Velocity Propagating Zonal Model” (VEPZO) developed by Fraunhofer for the simulation of indoor air flows is often superior to elaborately calculated CFD simulations. The modeling was validated by in-situ measurements in rail traffic.