Direct Numerical Simulation of the dispersion of aerosol particles emitted in a single breath in a generic room

Abstract

A Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) study of ‘jet-like’ breathing event in a generic environment is performed to quantify how respiratory droplets of different momentum and size are spreading after being emitted by a human subject in a closed room. Beside coughing and sneezing, breathing is a continuous function of human subjects and can spread aerosol droplets carrying SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne diseases. Large droplets follow ballistic trajectories, while relatively small particles are transported within the puff of air emitted by breathing. This paper focuses on the detailed analysis of the turbulent movement of respiratory particles emitted in a breath.