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The Impact of Large Mobile Air Purifiers on Aerosol Concentration in Classrooms and the Reduction of Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Author

Listed:
  • Finn F. Duill

    (Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Florian Schulz

    (Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Aman Jain

    (Institute of Process Engineering, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Leve Krieger

    (Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Berend van Wachem

    (Institute of Process Engineering, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

  • Frank Beyrau

    (Institute of Fluid Dynamics and Thermodynamics, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany)

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, an increased risk of infection by virus-containing aerosols indoors is assumed. Especially in schools, the duration of stay is long and the number of people in the rooms is large, increasing the risk of infection. This problem particularly affects schools without pre-installed ventilation systems that are equipped with filters and/or operate with fresh air. Here, the aerosol concentration is reduced by natural ventilation. In this context, we are investigating the effect of large mobile air purifiers (AP) with HEPA filters on particle concentration and their suitability for classroom use in a primary school in Germany. The three tested APs differ significantly in their air outlet characteristics. Measurements of the number of particles, the particle size distribution, and the CO 2 concentration were carried out in the classroom with students (April/May 2021) and with an aerosol generator without students. In this regard, the use of APs leads to a substantial reduction of aerosol particles in the considered particle size range of 0.178–17.78 µm. At the same time, the three APs are found to have differences in their particle decay rate, noise level, and flow velocity. In addition to the measurements, the effect of various influencing parameters on the potential inhaled particle dose was investigated using a calculation model. The parameters considered include the duration of stay, particle concentration in exhaled air, respiratory flow rate, virus lifetime, ventilation interval, ventilation efficiency, AP volumetric flow, as well as room size. Based on the resulting effect diagrams, significant recommendations can be derived for reducing the risk of infection from virus-laden aerosols. Finally, the measurements were compared to computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling, as such tools can aid the optimal placement and configuration of APs and can be used to study the effect of the spread of aerosols from a source in the classroom.

Suggested Citation

  • Finn F. Duill & Florian Schulz & Aman Jain & Leve Krieger & Berend van Wachem & Frank Beyrau, 2021. "The Impact of Large Mobile Air Purifiers on Aerosol Concentration in Classrooms and the Reduction of Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-31, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:21:p:11523-:d:670551
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Sandra N. Jendrossek & Lukas A. Jurk & Kirsten Remmers & Yunus E. Cetin & Wolfgang Sunder & Martin Kriegel & Petra Gastmeier, 2023. "The Influence of Ventilation Measures on the Airborne Risk of Infection in Schools: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-21, February.
    2. Guillermo Efren Ovando-Chacon & Abelardo Rodríguez-León & Sandy Luz Ovando-Chacon & Martín Hernández-Ordoñez & Mario Díaz-González & Felipe de Jesús Pozos-Texon, 2022. "Computational Study of Thermal Comfort and Reduction of CO 2 Levels inside a Classroom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-22, March.
    3. Krzysztof Grygierek & Seyedkeivan Nateghi & Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek & Jan Kaczmarczyk, 2023. "Controlling and Limiting Infection Risk, Thermal Discomfort, and Low Indoor Air Quality in a Classroom through Natural Ventilation Controlled by Smart Windows," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-21, January.
    4. Lara Moeller & Florian Wallburg & Felix Kaule & Stephan Schoenfelder, 2022. "Numerical Flow Simulation on the Virus Spread of SARS-CoV-2 Due to Airborne Transmission in a Classroom," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-19, May.
    5. Wenhao Chen & Zhong-Min Wang & Kyle Peerless & Elon Ullman & Mark J. Mendell & David Putney & Jeff Wagner & Kazukiyo Kumagai, 2024. "Monitoring of Ventilation, Portable Air Cleaner Operation, and Particulate Matter in California Classrooms: A Pilot Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-18, March.

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