Evaluation of One- and Two-Box Models as Particle Exposure Prediction Tools at Industrial Scale

One- and two-box models have been pointed out as useful tools for modelling indoor particle exposure. However, model performance still needs further testing if they are to be implemented as trustworthy tools for exposure assessment. The objective of this work is to evaluate the performance, applicability and reproducibility of one- and two-box models on real-world industrial scenarios. A study on filling of seven materials in three filling lines with different levels of energy and mitigation strategies was used. Inhalable and respirable mass concentrations were calculated with one- and two-box models. The continuous drop and rotating drum methods were used for emission rate calculation, and ranges from a one-at-a-time methodology were applied for local exhaust ventilation efficiency and inter-zonal air flows. When using both dustiness methods, large differences were observed for modelled inhalable concentrations but not for respirable, which showed the importance to study the linkage between dustiness and processes. Higher model accuracy (ratio modelled vs. measured concentrations 0.5–5) was obtained for the two- (87%) than the one-box model (53%). Large effects on modelled concentrations were seen when local exhausts ventilation and inter-zonal variations where parametrized in the models. However, a certain degree of variation (10–20%) seems acceptable, as similar conclusions are reached.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ribalta, Carla, López-Lilao, Ana, Fonseca, Ana Sofia, Østerskov Jensen, Alexander Christian, Jensen, Keld Alstrup, Monfort, Eliseo, Viana, Mar
Other Authors: Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (España)
Format: artículo biblioteca
Language:English
Published: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute 2021-08-29
Subjects:Mass-balance models, Occupational exposure, Dustiness index, Handling energy factor, Indoor aerosol modelling, Emission rate, Exposure assessment,
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/10261/249257
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003329
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004837
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