American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
1
International Space Station Node 3 CFD Ventilation
Modeling for Early Ingress and Nominal Operation
Chang H. Son
1
The Boeing Company, Houston, TX, 77059, United States
Nikolay G. Ivanov
2
, Evgueni M. Smirnov
3
, and Denis S. Telnov
4
New Technologies and Services, St. Petersburg, 197198, Russia
The goal of the study is to analyze the airflow in the International Space Station (ISS)
Node 3 cabin during early ingress after docking and the baseline operation of Node 3.
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models for both the Node 3 early ingress ventilation
and the Node 3 nominal ventilation were developed. The CFD model for the Node 3 early
ingress ventilation includes an air supplying duct which is extended to the Node interior
through an open hatch. The effects of the duct position and the Node3/Cupola open hatch on
the possible stagnant zone formation were examined, and recommendations on the duct
length were made to provide velocities within the air velocity specification. The CFD model
for the Node 3 nominal ventilation includes three modules: Node 3, Node 1 and Cupola. The
focus of the analysis is to verify the Node 3 relocation capabilities to maintain the cabin aisle
way air velocities in the range of 15-40 feet per minute.
I. Introduction
HE Node 3 module, called Tranquility, is the last component added to the International Space Station (ISS).
Node 3 was launched on February 8, 2010 onboard the STS-130 mission.
1
It was berthed to the port side of
Node 1, named Unity. As a pressurized module, it provides additional room for crew members and many of the
space station environmental control and life support systems (ECLSS) (e.g., air revitalization, oxygen generation
and water recycling).
Node 3 will primarily be used for exercise, storage, and robotics work in connection with the Cupola module
attached. Cupola, the seven-windowed work module to be used as a control room for robotics, was delivered to the
station onboard the STS-130 mission as well.
1
Air quality in the closed environment of Node 3 cabin together with
Cupola is important for the safety and comfort of the crew.
Detailed data on airflow, including information on stagnation and high-velocity zones, can be generated using
Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models. Development of advanced CFD models for different scenarios of ISS
operation is necessary for unexpected contingency operations that might occur.
The first part of the study is aimed at airflow analysis during early ingress after docking. On this stage all the
diffusers of the regular ventilation system (both common and IMV) and return grilles are closed. The ventilation of
the Node 3 and Cupola modules is carried out via an air-supplying duct that is stretched to the Node 3 cabin. Results
of airflow computations for four cases computed for the early ingress configuration are presented in the paper.
The second part of the study is devoted to computations of airflow provided by regular Node 3 and Cupola
ventilation system. The Node 3 Relocation capability to maintain an effective cabin aisle circulation velocities in the
required range including periods when intermodule atmosphere exchange with the Airlock is non functional were
verified by analysis. Results of airflow computations for two cases computed are presented in the paper.
The computations have been performed with the ANSYS FLUENT 6.3.26 CFD software.
2
1
Senior Principal Engineer, 13100 Space Center Blvd, e-mail: сhang.h.son@boeing.com
2
Associate professor, Krasnogo Kursanta str. 5-a, e-mail: ngivanov@mail.ru
3
Professor, Krasnogo Kursanta str. 5-a, e-mail: aero@phmf.spbstu.ru
4
Researcher, Krasnogo Kursanta str. 5-a, e-mail: aero@phmf.spbstu.ru
T
40th International Conference on Environmental Systems AIAA 2010-6170
Copyright © 2010 by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. All rights reserved.