On the impact of a low-momentum ventilation system with an air purifier unit on indoor aerosol-dynamics

Abstract

A consortium of industry, research institutes and university have combined their expertise as well as their measurement and simulation methods to carry out real-life indoor aerosol distribution situations. The scientific approach, experimental procedure and results on aerosol dynamics are presented and possible consequences are discussed. Due to SARS-CoV2 transported by aerosol, the indoor aerosol dynamics is a critical factor in the case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). In the present study we consider the issue of indoor aerodynamics from the point of view of whether a recirculation system based on the concept of displacement ventilation with air filtration can reduce aerosol concentrations and thus maybe the risk of infection. For this purpose we investigate the aerosol dynamics in a room for a particle range 0.3 mu up to 2.5 mu aerodynamic diameter. The experimental setup is provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Göttingen, which has developed an experimental setup and measurement procedure to verify aerosol dispersion in rooms for common real-life situations. The setup essentially consists of heat dummies to simulate the heat emission of a human body, consumer particle sensors and an aerosol source, using artificial salvia, that simulates the exhalation of the aerosol. Based on this configuration the spatial distribution and dynamics of aerosols are investigated. The technology and the results of two field studies are presented and discussed.