Research

The Outdoor Ventilation Standard research program produces independently researched, physics-grounded technical publications on outdoor cooking ventilation. Each paper addresses a specific topic within the broader challenge of capturing buoyant cooking plumes in open-air environments.

All research is governed by the Research Program Charter v2.6, uses the controlled vocabulary defined in the Glossary v1.1, and follows the visual conventions established in the Diagram Standard v2.1.

Revision note (2026-09-26). RB-001, RB-002, RB-003, RB-004, RB-006, RB-007, RB-008, RB-009, RB-011 and RB-012 are at v1.1. Each carries a Revision history section immediately after its header that lists every corrected cell (old → new) and the reason: hand-rounded table rows are regenerated from the papers’ own printed formulas, and a small number of cross-paper inconsistencies (margin factors, wind factors, one blower size, one units line) are reconciled. RB-005 and RB-010 are unchanged at v1.0. The downloadable PDFs were regenerated the same day.

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P0 — Foundation

These papers establish the core physical models. All subsequent research builds on these foundations.

• RB-001: Buoyant Plume Behavior from Barbecue and High-Heat Cooking Sources — Quantitative plume characterization for gas, charcoal, wood-fired, and pellet sources using Heskestad correlations and McCaffrey zone classification
• RB-002: Entrainment and Lateral Plume Spread in Open-Air Environments — Morton-Taylor-Turner entrainment rates, plume diameter at representative hood heights, base sizing margin factor K≈1.38
• RB-003: Velocity Decay and Near-Field vs. Far-Field Capture — Heskestad velocity decay curves, CFM lookup tables by source type and height, maximum mounting height analysis

P1 — Core

These papers directly address primary research objectives, building on P0 foundations.

• RB-004: Why Indoor Ventilation Assumptions Fail Outdoors — Systematic analysis of assumptions embedded in ASHRAE 154, IMC, and UL 710 that do not transfer to open-boundary environments
• RB-005: Impact of Hood Geometry on Capture Performance — Hood dimensions, overhang, lip height, internal baffling, and their effects on capture envelope and effective capture area
• RB-006: Wind Interaction and Cross-Flow Effects — Briggs bent-plume trajectory, crosswind Froude number regimes, deflection tables for 8 sources x 5 heights x 6 wind speeds

P2 — Applied

These papers translate physics into design implications and diagnostic frameworks.

• RB-007: Failure Modes of Outdoor BBQ Hoods — Failure mode taxonomy with diagnostic criteria, correctable vs. design-locked classification
• RB-008: CFM Requirements for Outdoor Cooking Ventilation — Physics-based CFM sizing methodology with outdoor correction factor K_CFM = 3.0
• RB-009: Side Panel and Wind Baffle Effectiveness — Panel configuration analysis, wind protection effectiveness, CFM-equivalent savings

P3 — Frontier

These papers address gaps in existing knowledge, edge cases, and emerging questions.

• RB-010: Gaps in Existing Standards, Codes, and Consumer Guidance — Systematic review identifying where ASHRAE 154, IMC, and UL 710 are silent or misleading for outdoor applications
• RB-011: Grease Aerosol Transport and Deposition in Open Environments — Particle size distribution, Stokes settling velocity, deposition patterns, and fire risk in open-boundary conditions
• RB-012: Thermal Radiation and Plume Interaction at Hood Surfaces — Radiant heat flux from cooking sources, thermal boundary layer effects, material temperature requirements

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How to Cite

When referencing publications from this research program, use the following format:

OVS-[RB-number] ([Year]). “[Title].” Outdoor Ventilation Standard — Applied Physics Research. https://outdoorventilationstandard.com/research/[slug]/

Example:

OVS-RB-001 (2025). “Buoyant Plume Behavior from Barbecue and High-Heat Cooking Sources.” Outdoor Ventilation Standard — Applied Physics Research. https://outdoorventilationstandard.com/research/rb-001-buoyant-plume-behavior/