Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing
Previous research has established that vegetation can significantly improve air quality. However, numerical simulations examining the purification effects of vegetation on air pollutants at the neighborhood scale remain limited, particularly regarding different neighborhood typologies. This study de...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-03-01
|
| Series: | Buildings |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/995 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850212987366801408 |
|---|---|
| author | Bin Cai Haomiao Cheng Fanding Xiang Han Wang Tianfang Kang |
| author_facet | Bin Cai Haomiao Cheng Fanding Xiang Han Wang Tianfang Kang |
| author_sort | Bin Cai |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Previous research has established that vegetation can significantly improve air quality. However, numerical simulations examining the purification effects of vegetation on air pollutants at the neighborhood scale remain limited, particularly regarding different neighborhood typologies. This study detailed the vegetation, buildings, and pollution emissions within neighborhoods by combining high-resolution imagery with field surveys. Then, a computational fluid dynamics model—validated through field monitoring—was used to design two scenarios to simulate and evaluate the air-purifying effects of vegetation in two typical Beijing neighborhoods. The simulation results were also well validated by the trial-and-error method compared with the computation of vegetation absorption coefficients. Findings indicated that in the Dashilar Traditional Hutong Community, vegetation contributed to reductions of 2.39% in PM<sub>2.5</sub> and 3.35% in CO, whereas in the east campus of Beijing University of Technology Pingleyuan, reductions were more substantial, reaching 10.07% for PM<sub>2.5</sub> and 8.21% for CO. The results also showed that the size and configuration of green patches directly influence PM<sub>2.5</sub> purification efficiency, with consolidated green areas outperforming scattered patches in particle absorption and deposition. Additionally, extensive vegetation near high-rise buildings may not yield the intended purification benefits. These findings provide a robust scientific basis for sustainable urban planning practices aimed at enhancing air quality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a2e534c56f0b49b89edc85cd8a58fe80 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-a2e534c56f0b49b89edc85cd8a58fe802025-08-20T02:09:13ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-03-0115799510.3390/buildings15070995Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of BeijingBin Cai0Haomiao Cheng1Fanding Xiang2Han Wang3Tianfang Kang4Key Laboratory of Beijing on Regional Air Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaSchool of Civil Architecture and Environment, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan 430068, ChinaKey Laboratory of Beijing on Regional Air Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaPrevious research has established that vegetation can significantly improve air quality. However, numerical simulations examining the purification effects of vegetation on air pollutants at the neighborhood scale remain limited, particularly regarding different neighborhood typologies. This study detailed the vegetation, buildings, and pollution emissions within neighborhoods by combining high-resolution imagery with field surveys. Then, a computational fluid dynamics model—validated through field monitoring—was used to design two scenarios to simulate and evaluate the air-purifying effects of vegetation in two typical Beijing neighborhoods. The simulation results were also well validated by the trial-and-error method compared with the computation of vegetation absorption coefficients. Findings indicated that in the Dashilar Traditional Hutong Community, vegetation contributed to reductions of 2.39% in PM<sub>2.5</sub> and 3.35% in CO, whereas in the east campus of Beijing University of Technology Pingleyuan, reductions were more substantial, reaching 10.07% for PM<sub>2.5</sub> and 8.21% for CO. The results also showed that the size and configuration of green patches directly influence PM<sub>2.5</sub> purification efficiency, with consolidated green areas outperforming scattered patches in particle absorption and deposition. Additionally, extensive vegetation near high-rise buildings may not yield the intended purification benefits. These findings provide a robust scientific basis for sustainable urban planning practices aimed at enhancing air quality.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/995CFDneighborhood environmentdust retention indexPM<sub>2.5</sub>vegetation greening |
| spellingShingle | Bin Cai Haomiao Cheng Fanding Xiang Han Wang Tianfang Kang Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing Buildings CFD neighborhood environment dust retention index PM<sub>2.5</sub> vegetation greening |
| title | Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing |
| title_full | Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing |
| title_fullStr | Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing |
| title_short | Modeling the Effects of Vegetation on Air Purification Through Computational Fluid Dynamics in Different Neighborhoods of Beijing |
| title_sort | modeling the effects of vegetation on air purification through computational fluid dynamics in different neighborhoods of beijing |
| topic | CFD neighborhood environment dust retention index PM<sub>2.5</sub> vegetation greening |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/7/995 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT bincai modelingtheeffectsofvegetationonairpurificationthroughcomputationalfluiddynamicsindifferentneighborhoodsofbeijing AT haomiaocheng modelingtheeffectsofvegetationonairpurificationthroughcomputationalfluiddynamicsindifferentneighborhoodsofbeijing AT fandingxiang modelingtheeffectsofvegetationonairpurificationthroughcomputationalfluiddynamicsindifferentneighborhoodsofbeijing AT hanwang modelingtheeffectsofvegetationonairpurificationthroughcomputationalfluiddynamicsindifferentneighborhoodsofbeijing AT tianfangkang modelingtheeffectsofvegetationonairpurificationthroughcomputationalfluiddynamicsindifferentneighborhoodsofbeijing |