Use of CFD modelling to optimise the design of upper-room UVGI disinfection systems for ventilated rooms

Noakes, C.J., Sleigh, P.A., Fletcher, L.A. and Beggs, C.B. (2006) Use of CFD modelling to optimise the design of upper-room UVGI disinfection systems for ventilated rooms. Indoor and Built Environment, 15 (4). pp. 347-356. ISSN 1420-326X

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Abstract

The installation of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) devices in ventilated rooms has the potential to reduce transmission of infections by an airborne route. However, the performance of such devices is dependant on several factors including the location of the lamp and the ventilation airflow in the room. This study uses a CFD model to evaluate the performance of UVGI devices by considering the cumulative UV-C dose received by the bulk room air in a ventilated room. By evaluating the UV dose rather than the resulting micro-organism inactivation the methodology can be used to optimise UVGI systems at the design stage, particularly when the source location of bioaerosol contaminants is not known. The study investigates the relationships between the lamp location, lamp power, ventilation system and room heating in a small, ventilated room. The results show that with ventilation air supplied at low level and extracted at high level the UVGI system performs better than with the air supplied at high level and extracted close to the floor. In addition the results show the presence of a heater in the room is unlikely to have a detrimental effect on performance and may promote mixing to increase the extent of disinfection.

Item Type:	Article
Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information:	© 2006 SAGE Publications. This is an author produced version of a paper published in 'Indoor and Built Environment'. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
Keywords:	CFD, Ultraviolet disinfection, Airborne infection, Ventilation , Modelling
Academic Units:	The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds) > Inst for Pathogen Control Engineering The University of Leeds > Faculty of Engineering (Leeds) > School of Civil Engineering (Leeds)
Depositing User:	Ms Caroline Wilson
Date Deposited:	16 Feb 2009 19:02
Last Modified:	08 Feb 2013 17:06
Published Version:	http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1420326X06067353
Status:	Published
Publisher:	Sage Publications
Refereed:	Yes
Identification Number:	10.1177/1420326X06067353
URI:	http://eprints.whiterose.ac.uk/id/eprint/7793

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