Thermal inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 by an electric fan heater in winter and defining conditions to ensure that all the air passes through the fan
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ASME
Access Rights
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is spread, especially in closed environments, by airborne transmission. The study aims to assess the thermal inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 in a 30 m(3) test room as a function of outlet temperature, airflow rate, and operating time of an electric heater, then define a condition to ensure that all air in the room passes through the electric heater. Aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 was delivered to the test room at an ambient temperature of 20 degrees C and 40% humidity. Two electric heaters with different powers and airflow rates were operated respectively in the test room to compare their efficiencies in the inactivation of airborne SARS-CoV-2. The first and second electric heaters had power, airflow rates, and outlet temperatures of 1.5 kW, 44 m(3)/h, 220 degrees C, and 3 kW, 324 m(3)/h, and 150 degrees C, respectively. A fan drew the outside air into the heater. In the first experiment, a 1.5 kW electric heater was operated in the test room for 80 min. In the second experiment, a 3 kW electric heater was used in the test room for 75 min. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 in the test room was inactivated by 99.00% and 99.96% in the first and second experiments, respectively. A condition is defined to ensure that all the air in the room passes at least once through the electric heater fan.
Description
Keywords
airborne SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, thermal inactivation, electric heater, winter, air pathogen purifier, biotechnology, energy efficiency, experimental techniques
Journal or Series
Journal Of Thermal Science And Engineering Applications
WoS Q Value
N/A
Scopus Q Value
Q2
Volume
16
Issue
2
