Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis of Airflow in Node 1 of the International Space Station

To properly design the air ventilation system and to ensure the safety of the air supply on the International Space Station (ISS), air flow must be thoroughly understood and potential problems identified. Node 1, also called Unity, is an element of the ISS that provides six docking ports for the attachment of other modules. It provides internal storage, serves as a link between other modules of the station, and provides external attachment points as well. Students performed an analysis of the air flow in Node 1 of the station using Fluent 6.1 software under normal operating conditions and several failure scenarios, such as loss of cabin air fan, loss of inter-module ventilation from Node 1 to the lab, and loss of inter-module ventilation from the airlock to Node 1. The students determined that loss of ventilation from the airlock had the most effect on the air supply.

Student participants and affiliations:

• Darrah Speiser, University of Hartford