Experimental Study on the Control Effect of Different Ventilation Systems on Fine Particles in a Simulated Hospital Ward

Overview

Journal Sustain Cities Soc

Publisher Elsevier

Date 2021 Jun 30

PMID 34189016

Citations 24

Authors

Xiangfei Kong

Chenli Guo

Zhang Lin

Shasha Duan

Junjie He

Yue Ren

Jianlin Ren

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

In recent years, a large number of respiratory infectious diseases (especially COVID-19) have broken out worldwide. Respiratory infectious viruses may be released in the air, resulting in cross-infection between patients and medical workers. Indoor ventilation systems can be adjusted to affect fine particles containing viruses. This study was aimed at performing a series of experiments to evaluate the ventilation performance and assess the exposure of healthcare workers (HW) to virus-laden particles released by patients in a confined experimental chamber. In a typical ward setting, four categories (top supply and exhaust, side supply and exhaust) were evaluated, encompassing 16 different air distribution patterns. The maximum reduction in the cumulative exposure level for HW was 70.8% in ventilation strategy D (upper diffusers on the sidewall supply and lower diffusers on the same sidewall return). The minimum value of the cumulative exposure level for a patient close to the source of the contamination pertained to Strategy E (upper diffusers on the sidewall supply and lower diffusers on the opposite sidewall return). Lateral ventilation strategies can provide significant guidance for ward operation to minimizing the airborne virus contamination. This study can provide a reference for sustainable buildings to construct a healthy indoor environment.

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