Abstract: Objective　To analyze the internal flow field of a sterile isolator using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and investigate the influence of different air inlet and exhaust vent distributions on the isolator’s internal flow field.Methods　The k-ω turbulence model was used to numerically simulate a sterile isolator for housing mice and to compare the flow field characteristics under two configurations: one with vents at the same height on both sides of the rear wall, and another with vents diagonally distributed on the left and right side walls.Results　Regardless of the vent distribution pattern, the flow field in the isolator was non-uniform, and the complexity of the flow field increased significantly after the placement of mouse cages. When the inlet and exhaust vents were diagonally distributed on the left and right side walls and the inlet was located above, the local air velocity in the mouse cage below the inlet reached 0.227 m/s, which was notably higher than in the configuration with vents at the same height on the rear wall.Conclusion　This study provides a theoretical basis for the design optimization of sterile isolators and animal husbandry management. It is recommended to avoid placing mouse cages in high-velocity areas in practical applications to ensure consistent animal housing conditions.

Key words: computational fluid dynamics, sterile isolator, mouse cage, flow field analysis

摘要： 目的　通过计算流体动力学(CFD)方法分析无菌隔离器内部流场环境,探讨不同送风口和排风口分布对隔 离器内流场的影响。方法　采用k-ω湍流模型对小鼠无菌饲育隔离器进行数值模拟,对比送风口、排风口后壁两 侧同一高度分布与左右两侧壁斜对角分布两种工况下的流场特性。结果　无论送风口和排风口分布形式如何,隔 离器内流场均呈现不均匀分布,放置小鼠笼后流场复杂性显著增加;当送风口与排风口在左右两侧壁呈斜对角分 布且送风口位于上方时,送风口下方鼠笼内局部流速可达0.227 m/s,明显高于在后壁两侧同一高度分布的情况。 结论　本研究为无菌隔离器的设计优化及动物饲养管理提供了理论依据。建议在实际应用中避免在高流速区域 放置鼠笼,以保障动物饲养条件的一致性。

关键词: 计算流体力学, 无菌隔离器, 鼠笼, 流场分析