Contaminant removal effectiveness evaluation of ventilation, UR-UVGI, and air cleaner using CFD in negative pressure isolation ward

Abstract

A negative pressure isolation ward (NPIW) is designed to create negative pressure to prevent the spread of airborne viruses. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the contaminant removal effect in the NPIW. To reduce indoor air contaminants, upper room-ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UR-UVGI) and air cleaner are being used. Unlike the UR-UVGI, the air cleaner generates airflow. Therefore, the contaminant removal effect may differ according to the ventilation methods. This study is to compare ventilation, UR-UVGI, and air cleaner contaminant removal effects using CFD and Contaminant Removal Effectiveness (CRE) in the NPIW. As a result, the CRE of the ceiling and wall exhaust methods were different, and the CRE of the URUVGI and air cleaner cases were also different according to the two ventilation methods. Therefore, when applying UR-UVGI and air cleaner, it is necessary to consider the ventilation method.