1
|
Edwards AJ, King MF, López-García M, Peckham D, Noakes CJ. Assessing the effects of transient weather conditions on airborne transmission risk in naturally ventilated hospitals. J Hosp Infect 2024; 148:1-10. [PMID: 38447806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2024.02.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many UK hospitals rely heavily on natural ventilation as their main source of airflow in patient wards. This method of ventilation can have cost and energy benefits, but it may lead to unpredictable flow patterns between indoor spaces, potentially leading to the unexpected transport of infectious material to other connecting zones. However, the effects of weather conditions on airborne transmission are often overlooked. METHODS A multi-zone CONTAM model of a naturally ventilated hospital respiratory ward, incorporating time-varying weather, was proposed. Coupling this with an airborne infection model, this study assessed the variable risk in interconnected spaces, focusing particularly on occupancy, disease and ventilation scenarios based on a UK respiratory ward. RESULTS The results suggest that natural ventilation with varying weather conditions can cause irregularities in the ventilation rates and interzonal flow rates of connected zones, leading to infrequent but high peaks in the concentration of airborne pathogens in particular rooms. This transient behaviour increases the risk of airborne infection, particularly through movement of pathogens between rooms, and highlights that large outbreaks may be more likely under certain conditions. This study demonstrated how ventilation rates achieved by natural ventilation are likely to fall below the recommended guidance, and that the implementation of supplemental mechanical ventilation can increase ventilation rates and reduce the variability in infection risks. CONCLUSION This model emphasises the need for consideration of transient external conditions when assessing the risk of transmission of airborne infection in indoor environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A J Edwards
- EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fluid Dynamics, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
| | - M-F King
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | | | - D Peckham
- Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, UK
| | - C J Noakes
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Berquist J, Cassidy N, Touchie M, O'Brien W, Fine J. High-rise residential building ventilation in cold climates: A review of ventilation system types and their impact on measured building performance. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13158. [PMID: 36437667 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ventilation system performance in high-rise multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) has a significant impact on resident wellbeing. While the importance of ventilation is well established, it is commonly overlooked since underperformance often goes undetected. This article presents a review and synthesis of ventilation system performance in high-rise MURBs located in cold climates as it relates to the three pillars of sustainability: economic (capital and operational cost), social (airflow control, indoor environmental quality, and occupant behavior and interactions), and ecological (energy and carbon). A meta-analysis revealed previous ventilation system designs generally prioritized economic sustainability, specifically, capital cost. However, priorities have recently shifted toward social and ecological sustainability. While this shift is positive, there is insufficient empirical evidence showing which ventilation system most effectively supports it. The decentralized heat/energy recovery ventilator (HRV/ERV) system shows the potential to improve upon the social and ecological sustainability of previous designs, such as the centralized pressurized corridor system, but the interconnected nature of performance metrics can cause improvements to one to negatively impact others. Therefore, further research is required to enhance ventilation system performance in cold climate, high-rise MURBs, and facilitate decision-making while designing and retrofitting these systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Justin Berquist
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Construction Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Noah Cassidy
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Marianne Touchie
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - William O'Brien
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jamie Fine
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tong H, Li M, Kang J. Relationships between building attributes and COVID-19 infection in London. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 225:109581. [PMID: 36124292 PMCID: PMC9472810 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2022] [Revised: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the UK, all domestic COVID-19 restrictions have been removed since they were introduced in March 2020. After illustrating the spatial-temporal variations in COVID-19 infection rates across London, this study then particularly aimed to examine the relationships of COVID-19 infection rates with building attributes, including building density, type, age, and use, since previous studies have shown that the built environment plays an important role in public health. Multisource data from national health services and the London Geomni map were processed with GIS techniques and statistically analysed. From March 2020 to April 2022, the infection rate of COVID-19 in London was 3,159.28 cases per 10,000 people. The spatial distribution across London was uneven, with a range from 1,837.88 to 4,391.79 per 10,000 people. During this period, it was revealed that building attributes played a significant role in COVID-19 infection. It was noted that higher building density areas had lower COVID-19 infection rates in London. Moreover, a higher percentage of historic or flat buildings tended to lead to a decrease in infection rates. In terms of building use, the rate of COVID-19 infection tended to be lower in public buildings and higher in residential buildings. Variations in the infection rate were more sensitive to building type; in particular, the percentage of residents living in flats contributed the most to variations in COVID-19 infection rates, with a value of 2.3%. This study is expected to provide support for policy and practice towards pandemic-resilient architectural design.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Huan Tong
- School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mingxiao Li
- School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jian Kang
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Guo Y, Li X, Luby S, Jiang G. Vertical outbreak of COVID-19 in high-rise buildings: The role of sewer stacks and prevention measures. CURRENT OPINION IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & HEALTH 2022; 29:100379. [PMID: 35856009 PMCID: PMC9279164 DOI: 10.1016/j.coesh.2022.100379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 outbreaks in high-rise buildings suggested the transmission route of fecal-aerosol-inhalation due to the involvement of viral aerosols in sewer stacks. The vertical transmission is likely due to the failure of water traps that allow viral aerosols to spread through sewer stacks. This process can be further facilitated by the chimney effect in vent stack, extract ventilation in bathrooms, or wind-induced air pressure fluctuations. To eliminate the risk of such vertical disease spread, the installation of protective devices is highly encouraged in high-rise buildings. Although the mechanism of vertical pathogen spread through drainage pipeline has been illustrated by tracer gas or microbial experiments and numerical modeling, more research is needed to support the update of regulatory and design standards for sewerage facilities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ying Guo
- School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Xuan Li
- School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| | - Stephen Luby
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Guangming Jiang
- School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
- Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW 2522, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Izadyar N, Miller W. Ventilation strategies and design impacts on indoor airborne transmission: A review. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 218:109158. [PMID: 35573806 PMCID: PMC9075988 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 outbreak has brought the indoor airborne transmission issue to the forefront. Although ventilation systems provide clean air and dilute indoor contaminated air, there is strong evidence that airborne transmission is the main route for contamination spread. This review paper aims to critically investigate ventilation impacts on particle spread and identify efficient ventilation strategies in controlling aerosol distribution in clinical and non-clinical environments. This article also examines influential ventilation design features (i.e., exhaust location) affecting ventilation performance in preventing aerosols spread. This paper shortlisted published documents for a review based on identification (keywords), pre-processing, screening, and eligibility of these articles. The literature review emphasizes the importance of ventilation systems' design and demonstrates all strategies (i.e., mechanical ventilation) could efficiently remove particles if appropriately designed. The study highlights the need for occupant-based ventilation systems, such as personalized ventilation instead of central systems, to reduce cross-infections. The literature underlines critical impacts of design features like ventilation rates and the number and location of exhausts and suggests designing systems considering airborne transmission. This review underpins that a higher ventilation rate should not be regarded as a sole indicator for designing ventilation systems because it cannot guarantee reducing risks. Using filtration and decontamination devices based on building functionalities and particle sizes can also increase ventilation performance. This paper suggests future research on optimizing ventilation systems, particularly in high infection risk spaces such as multi-storey hotel quarantine facilities. This review contributes to adjusting ventilation facilities to control indoor aerosol transmission.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nima Izadyar
- School of Built Environment, College of Engineering and Science, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wendy Miller
- School of Architecture & Built Environment, Science and Engineering Faculty, Queensland University of Technology (QUT), Brisbane, QLD, 4001, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Object-Based High-Rise Building Detection Using Morphological Building Index and Digital Map. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14020330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-rise buildings (HRBs) as modern and visually unique land use continue to increase due to urbanization. Therefore, large-scale monitoring of HRB is very important for urban planning and environmental protection. This paper performed object-based HRB detection using high-resolution satellite image and digital map. Three study areas were acquired from KOMPSAT-3A, KOMPSAT-3, and WorldView-3, and object-based HRB detection was performed using the direction according to relief displacement by satellite image. Object-based multiresolution segmentation images were generated, focusing on HRB in each satellite image, and then combined with pixel-based building detection results obtained from MBI through majority voting to derive object-based building detection results. After that, to remove objects misdetected by HRB, the direction between HRB in the polygon layer of the digital map HRB and the HRB in the object-based building detection result was calculated. It was confirmed that the direction between the two calculated using the centroid coordinates of each building object converged with the azimuth angle of the satellite image, and results outside the error range were removed from the object-based HRB results. The HRBs in satellite images were defined as reference data, and the performance of the results obtained through the proposed method was analyzed. In addition, to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed technique, it was confirmed that the proposed method provides relatively good performance compared to the results of object-based HRB detection using shadows.
Collapse
|
7
|
Nazaroff WW. Indoor aerosol science aspects of SARS-CoV-2 transmission. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12970. [PMID: 34873752 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Knowledge about person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is reviewed, emphasizing three components: emission of virus-containing particles and drops from infectious persons; transport and fate of such emissions indoors; and inhalation of viral particles by susceptible persons. Emissions are usefully clustered into three groups: small particles (diameter 0.1-5 µm), large particles (5-100 µm), and ballistic drops (>100 µm). Speaking generates particles and drops across the size spectrum. Small particles are removed from indoor air at room scale by ventilation, filtration, and deposition; large particles mainly deposit onto indoor surfaces. Proximate exposure enhancements are associated with large particles with contributions from ballistic drops. Masking and social distancing are effective in mitigating transmission from proximate exposures. At room scale, masking, ventilation, and filtration can contribute to limit exposures. Important information gaps prevent a quantitative reconciliation of the high overall global spread of COVID-19 with known transmission pathways. Available information supports several findings with moderate-to-high confidence: transmission occurs predominantly indoors; inhalation of airborne particles (up to 50 µm in diameter) contributes substantially to viral spread; transmission occurs in near proximity and at room scale; speaking is a major source of airborne SARS-CoV-2 virus; and emissions can occur without strong illness symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William W Nazaroff
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zheng K, Ortner P, Lim YW, Zhi TJ. Ventilation in worker dormitories and its impact on the spread of respiratory droplets. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2021; 75:103327. [PMID: 34545319 PMCID: PMC8443870 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2021.103327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Most of the COVID-19 cases in Singapore have primarily come from foreign worker dormitories. This people group is especially vulnerable partly because of behavioural habits, but the built environment they live in also plays a significant role. These dormitories are typically densely populated, so the living conditions are cramped. The short lease given to most dormitories also means the design does not typically focus on environmental performance, like good natural ventilation. This paper seeks to understand how these dormitories' design affects natural ventilation and, subsequently, the spread of the COVID-19 particles by looking at two existing worker dorms in Singapore. Findings show that some rooms are poorly orientated against the prevailing wind directions, so there is dominant stagnant air in these rooms, leading to respiratory droplets' long residence times. These particles can hover in the air for 10 min and more. Interventions like increased bed distance and removing upper deck beds only showed limited ventilation improvements in some rooms. Comparatively, internal wind scoops' strategic placement was more effective at directing wind towards more stagnant zones. Large canyon aspect ratios were also effective at removing particles from higher elevations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zheng
- Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore
| | - Peter Ortner
- Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore
| | - Yu Wen Lim
- Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore
| | - Tay Jing Zhi
- Architecture and Sustainable Design, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, Singapore 487372, Singapore
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Detecting High-Rise Buildings from Sentinel-2 Data Based on Deep Learning Method. REMOTE SENSING 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rs13204073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
High-rise buildings (HRBs) as a modern and visually distinctive land use play an important role in urbanization. Large-scale monitoring of HRBs is valuable in urban planning and environmental protection and so on. Due to the complex 3D structure and seasonal dynamic image features of HRBs, it is still challenging to monitor large-scale HRBs in a routine way. This paper extends our previous work on the use of the Fully Convolutional Networks (FCN) model to extract HRBs from Sentinel-2 data by studying the influence of seasonal and spatial factors on the performance of the FCN model. 16 Sentinel-2 subset images covering four diverse regions in four seasons were selected for training and validation. Our results indicate the performance of the FCN-based method at the extraction of HRBs from Sentinel-2 data fluctuates among seasons and regions. The seasonal change of accuracy is larger than that of the regional change. If an optimal season can be chosen to get a yearly best result, F1 score of detected HRBs can reach above 0.75 for all regions with most errors located on the boundary of HRBs. FCN model can be trained on seasonally and regionally combined samples to achieve similar or even better overall accuracy than that of the model trained on an optimal combination of season and region. Uncertainties exist on the boundary of detected results and may be relieved by revising the definition of HRBs in a more rigorous way. On the whole, the FCN based method can be largely effective at the extraction of HRBs from Sentinel-2 data in regions with a large diversity in culture, latitude, and landscape. Our results support the possibility to build a powerful FCN model on a larger size of training samples for operational monitoring HRBs at the regional level or even on a country scale.
Collapse
|
10
|
Haji Ali B, Shahin MS, Masoumi Sangani MM, Faghihinezhad M, Baghdadi M. Wastewater aerosols produced during flushing toilets, WWTPs, and irrigation with reclaimed municipal wastewater as indirect exposure to SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:106201. [PMID: 34405082 PMCID: PMC8361049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw and treated wastewater can open up a fresh perspective to waterborne and aerosolized wastewater as a new transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the current pandemic. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater aerosols formed during toilet flushing, plumbing failure, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal wastewater reuse for irrigation. Moreover, how these aerosols might increase the risk of exposure to this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA). This article supplies a review of the literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater, as well as the fate and stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. We also reviewed the existing literatures on generation and transmission of aerosolized wastewater through flush a toilet, house's plumbing networks, WWTPs, wastewater reuse for irrigation of agricultural areas. Finally, the article briefly studies the potential risk of infection with exposure to the fecal bioaerosols of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for the people who might be exposed through flushing toilets or faulty building plumbing systems, operators/workers in wastewater treatment plants, and workers of fields irrigated with treated wastewater - based on current knowledge. Although this review highlights the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater aerosols, no research has yet clearly demonstrated the role of aerosolized wastewater in disease transmission regarding the continuation of this pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for additional studies on wastewater aerosols in transmission of COVID-19.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Banafsheh Haji Ali
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohsen Faghihinezhad
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Baghdadi
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Zhang Y, Wang Y, Wang F, Xu X, Wu X. Numerical investigation on the transmission and dispersion of aerosols in a 7-stories building drainage system. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2021; 201:108009. [PMID: 34075270 PMCID: PMC8161830 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
In previous reports, the positive SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid was detected in the fecal samples from confirmed pneumonia patients, suggesting a high probability of the fecal-oral transmission. To date, however, the role played by the drainage system of a high-rise building in the virus transmission is not clear and especially studies on the dynamics mechanism behind is scarce. From this point of view, the present work carries out a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to investigate the effects of the water seal effectiveness of the floor drain, the negative/positive pressures (P 1 , P 2 ) in the bathroom, temperature differential (ΔT), outside wind velocity (v), the piping fittings and the negative pressure at the cowl (P 3 ) on the transmission of the virus-laden aerosol particles in a drainage system of a typical 7-storeys residential building. The CFD models are first validated by the previous experiments in literature. Numerical results imply that the drainage system might play an essential role to the virus transmission. Then, results indicate that, the leakage risk of the aerosol particles via the floor drain with inefficient water-seal (UFD) mainly exists at the upper floors above the neutral pressure level (NPL). Besides, the negative and positive pressures at the bathroom can enhance and reduce the exposure risk of aerosol particles from the corresponding UFD, respectively. The ΔT increasing does not modify the location of the NPL. Moreover, the exposure risk of aerosol particles can be effectively avoided by the well water-sealed floor drains and/or the presence of a proper negative pressure at the cowl on the top floor. Finally, based on the CFD results, several protection suggestions on the drainage system and human activities are provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhang
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yikang Wang
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Feifei Wang
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xinhua Xu
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xiaohui Wu
- School of Environment Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430074, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Reichman R, Dubowski Y. Gaseous pollutant transport from an underground parking garage in a Mediterranean multi-story building-Effect of temporal resolution under varying weather conditions. BUILDING SIMULATION 2021; 14:1511-1523. [PMID: 33649710 PMCID: PMC7905197 DOI: 10.1007/s12273-020-0757-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Indoor air dynamics and quality in high density residential buildings can be complex as it is affected by both building parameters, pollution sources, and outdoor meteorological conditions. The present study used CONTAM simulations to investigate the intra-building transport and concentration of an inert pollutant continuously emitted from an underground garage of a 15-floor building under moderate Mediterranean weather. The effects of outdoor meteorological conditions (air temperature, wind speed and direction) on indoor distribution of the emitted pollutant was tested under constant conditions. The importance of using actual transient meteorological data and the impact of their temporal resolution on calculated concentrations and exposure levels were also investigated. Vertical profiles of air exchange rate (AER) and CO concentration were shown to be sensitive to indoor-outdoor temperature difference, which controls the extent of the stack effect and its importance relative to wind effect. Even under constant conditions, transient mode simulations revealed that the time needed for pollutant distribution to reach steady state can be quite long (>24h in some cases). The temporal resolution (1h vs. 8h) of the meteorological data input was also found to impact calculated exposure levels, in an extent that varied with time, meteorological conditions and apartment position.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rivka Reichman
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000 Israel
| | - Yael Dubowski
- Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Technion — Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, 32000 Israel
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Effects of Neighboring Units on the Estimation of Particle Penetration Factor in a Modeled Indoor Environment. URBAN SCIENCE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/urbansci5010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Ingress of air from neighboring apartments is an important source of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in residential multi-story buildings. It affects the measurement and estimation of particle deposition rate and penetration factor. A blower-door method to measure the particle deposition rate and penetration factor has previously been found to be more precise than the traditional decay-rebound method as it reduces variability of PM2.5 ingress from outside. CONTAM is a multi-zone indoor air quality and ventilation analysis computer program to aid the prediction of indoor air quality. It was used in this study to model the indoor PM2.5 concentrations in an apartment under varying PM2.5 emission from neighboring apartments and window opening and closing regimes. The variation of indoor PM2.5 concentration was also modeled for different days to account for typical outdoor variations. The calibrated CONTAM model aimed to simulate environments found during measurement of particle penetration factor, thus identifying the source of error in the estimates. Results show that during simulated measurement of particle penetration factors using the blower-door method for three-hour periods under a constant 4 Pa pressure difference, the indoor PM2.5 concentration increases significantly due to PM2.5 generated from adjacent apartments, having the potential to cause an error of more than 20% in the estimated value of particle penetration factor. The error tends to be lower if the measuring time is extended. Simulated measurement of the decay-rebound method showed that more PM2.5 can penetrate inside if the PM2.5 was generated from apartments below under naturally variable weather conditions. A multiple blower-door fan can be used to reduce the effects of neighboring emission and increase the precision of the penetration estimates.
Collapse
|
14
|
Lozinsky CH, Touchie MF. Inter-zonal airflow in multi-unit residential buildings: A review of the magnitude and interaction of driving forces, measurement techniques and magnitudes, and its impact on building performance. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:1083-1108. [PMID: 32643179 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/26/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Inter-zonal airflows within multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) have profound impacts on an array of building performance metrics, including energy, indoor air quality (IAQ), fire and acoustical separations, and distribution of ventilation air. Although there are wide-ranging implications, most building codes/standards have yet to incorporate airtightness requirements for interior partitions in large, multi-zone structures, and instead focus primarily on exterior envelope airtightness. Despite the multi-disciplinary nature of the topic, previous reviews have been limited to one domain (eg, energy performance, IAQ, specific test methods). This paper presents a comprehensive summary of the literature on inter-zonal airflow in MURBs including the magnitude and interaction of driving forces; its relevance to/effect on building performance; current code requirements; testing methods; and previous measurements. While considerable efforts have been made in recent years to quantify and control inter-zonal airflows, most measurement techniques are still labor-intensive and disruptive, and there is no framework for how to implement performance-based requirements into building codes and standards. Further research efforts should be focused on refining testing methods and preparing the construction industry for code changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cara H Lozinsky
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Marianne F Touchie
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Turbulent Flows and Pollution Dispersion around Tall Buildings Using Adaptive Large Eddy Simulation (LES). BUILDINGS 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings10070127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The motivation for this work stems from the increased number of high-rise buildings/skyscrapers all over the world, and in London, UK, and hence the necessity to see their effect on the local environment. We concentrate on the mean velocities, Reynolds stresses, turbulent kinetic energies (TKEs) and tracer concentrations. We look at their variations with height at two main locations within the building area, and downstream the buildings. The pollution source is placed at the top of the central building, representing an emission from a Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant. We see how a tall building may have a positive effect at the lower levels, but a negative one at the higher levels in terms of pollution levels. Mean velocities at the higher levels (over 60 m in real life) are reduced at both locations (within the building area and downstream it), whilst Reynolds stresses and TKEs increase. However, despite the observed enhanced turbulence at the higher levels, mean concentrations increase, indicating that the mean flow has a greater influence on the dispersion. At the lower levels (Z < 60 m), the presence of a tall building enhanced dispersion (hence lower concentrations) for many of the configurations.
Collapse
|
16
|
Zhang N, Chen W, Chan PT, Yen HL, Tang JWT, Li Y. Close contact behavior in indoor environment and transmission of respiratory infection. INDOOR AIR 2020; 30:645-661. [PMID: 32259319 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 02/29/2020] [Accepted: 03/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Close contact was first identified as the primary route of transmission for most respiratory infections in the early 20th century. In this review, we synthesize the existing understanding of the mechanisms of close contact transmission. We focus on two issues: the mechanism of transmission in close contact, namely the transmission of the expired particles between two people, and the physical parameters of close contact that affect the exposure of particles from one individual to another, or how the nature of close contact plays a role in transmission. We propose the existence of three sub-routes of transmission: short-range airborne, large droplets, and immediate body-surface contact. We also distinguish a "body contact," which is defined with an interpersonal distance of zero, from a close contact. We demonstrate herein that the short-range airborne sub-route may be most common. The timescales over which data should be collected to assess the transmission risk during close contact events are much shorter than those required for the distant airborne or fomite routes. The current paucity of high-resolution data over short distances and timescales makes it very difficult to assess the risk of infection in these circumstances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wenzhao Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Pak-To Chan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hui-Ling Yen
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Julian Wei-Tze Tang
- Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
- Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Wang J, Huo Q, Zhang T, Wang S, Battaglia F. Numerical investigation of gaseous pollutant cross-transmission for single-sided natural ventilation driven by buoyancy and wind. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 172:106705. [PMID: 32287994 PMCID: PMC7116971 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Revised: 01/28/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Single-sided natural ventilation was numerically investigated to determine the impact of buoyancy and wind on the cross-transmission of pollution by considering six window types commonly found in multistory buildings. The goal of this study was to predict the gaseous pollutant transmission using computational fluid dynamics based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and baseline k-ω turbulence equations. The results indicated that ventilation rates generally increased with increasing wind speeds if the effects of buoyancy and wind were not suppressed; however, the re-entry ratio representing the proportion of expelled air re-entering other floors and the corresponding risk of infection decreased. If the source of the virus was on a central floor, the risk of infection was the highest on the floors closest to the source. Different window types were also considered for determining their effectiveness in controlling cross-transmission and infection risk, depending on the source location and driving force (e.g., buoyancy and wind).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Qiannan Huo
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Shugang Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Francine Battaglia
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, 339 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Wang J, Huo Q, Zhang T, Wang S, Battaglia F. Numerical investigation of gaseous pollutant cross-transmission for single-sided natural ventilation driven by buoyancy and wind. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2020. [PMID: 32287994 DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2018.03.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Single-sided natural ventilation was numerically investigated to determine the impact of buoyancy and wind on the cross-transmission of pollution by considering six window types commonly found in multistory buildings. The goal of this study was to predict the gaseous pollutant transmission using computational fluid dynamics based on the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations and baseline k-ω turbulence equations. The results indicated that ventilation rates generally increased with increasing wind speeds if the effects of buoyancy and wind were not suppressed; however, the re-entry ratio representing the proportion of expelled air re-entering other floors and the corresponding risk of infection decreased. If the source of the virus was on a central floor, the risk of infection was the highest on the floors closest to the source. Different window types were also considered for determining their effectiveness in controlling cross-transmission and infection risk, depending on the source location and driving force (e.g., buoyancy and wind).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Qiannan Huo
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Shugang Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian, 116024, China
| | - Francine Battaglia
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University at Buffalo, 339 Jarvis Hall, Buffalo, NY, 14260, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Dai Y, Mak CM, Zhang Y, Cui D, Hang J. Investigation of interunit dispersion in 2D street canyons: A scaled outdoor experiment. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 171:106673. [PMID: 32287993 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Interunit dispersion problems have been studied previously mainly through on-site measurements, wind tunnel tests, and CFD simulations. In this study, a scaled outdoor experiment was conducted to examine the interunit dispersion characteristics in consecutive two-dimensional street canyons. Tracer gas ( C O 2 ) was continuously released to simulate the pollutant dispersion routes between the rooms in street canyons. The wind velocity, wind direction, air temperature, and tracer gas concentrations were monitored simultaneously. Two important parameters, the air exchange rate and reentry ratio, were analyzed to reveal the ventilation performance and interunit dispersion of the rooms in the street canyons. Based on the real-time weather conditions, it was found that the ventilation performance of the source room varied according to the room location. The air exchange rate distribution of the leeward-side room was more stable than that of the windward side. The tracer gas was mainly transported in the vortex direction inside the street canyon, and the highest reentry ratio was observed at the room nearest to the source room along the transportation route. In addition, under real weather conditions, the rooms in the street canyon have a high probability of experiencing a high reentry ratio based on the maximum reentry ratio of each room. This study provides authentic airflow and pollutant dispersion information in the street canyons in an urban environment. The dataset of this experiment can be used to validate further numerical simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Dai
- Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Cheuk Ming Mak
- Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Yong Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Dongjin Cui
- School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering, Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Dai Y, Mak CM, Zhang Y, Cui D, Hang J. Investigation of interunit dispersion in 2D street canyons: A scaled outdoor experiment. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2020; 171:106673. [PMID: 32287993 PMCID: PMC7116958 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2020.106673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2019] [Revised: 01/04/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2020] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Interunit dispersion problems have been studied previously mainly through on-site measurements, wind tunnel tests, and CFD simulations. In this study, a scaled outdoor experiment was conducted to examine the interunit dispersion characteristics in consecutive two-dimensional street canyons. Tracer gas ( C O 2 ) was continuously released to simulate the pollutant dispersion routes between the rooms in street canyons. The wind velocity, wind direction, air temperature, and tracer gas concentrations were monitored simultaneously. Two important parameters, the air exchange rate and reentry ratio, were analyzed to reveal the ventilation performance and interunit dispersion of the rooms in the street canyons. Based on the real-time weather conditions, it was found that the ventilation performance of the source room varied according to the room location. The air exchange rate distribution of the leeward-side room was more stable than that of the windward side. The tracer gas was mainly transported in the vortex direction inside the street canyon, and the highest reentry ratio was observed at the room nearest to the source room along the transportation route. In addition, under real weather conditions, the rooms in the street canyon have a high probability of experiencing a high reentry ratio based on the maximum reentry ratio of each room. This study provides authentic airflow and pollutant dispersion information in the street canyons in an urban environment. The dataset of this experiment can be used to validate further numerical simulations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Dai
- Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
| | - Cheuk Ming Mak
- Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, PR China
- Corresponding author.
| | - Yong Zhang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
| | - Dongjin Cui
- School of Architecture & Urban Planning, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangdong Province Key Laboratory for Climate Change and Natural Disaster Studies, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510275, PR China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering, Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Li Z, Wang H, Zheng W, Li B, Wei Y, Zeng J, Lei C. A tracing method of airborne bacteria transmission across built environments. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2019; 164:106335. [PMID: 32287991 PMCID: PMC7116910 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2019.106335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2019] [Revised: 07/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Disease transmission across built environments has been found to be a serious health risk. Airborne transmission is a vital route of disease infection caused by bacteria and virus. However, tracing methods of airborne bacteria in both lab and field research failed to veritably express the transporting process of microorganism in the air. A new tracing method of airborne bacteria used for airborne transmission was put forward and demonstrated its feasibility by conducting a field evaluation on the basis of genetic modification and bioaerosol technology. A specific gene fragment (pFPV-mCherry fluorescent protein plasmid) was introduced into nonpathogenic E. coli DH5α as tracer bacteria by high-voltage electroporation. Gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing proved the success of the synthesis. Genetic stability, effect of aerosolization on the survival rate of tracer bacteria, and the application of the tracer bacteria to the airborne bacteria transmission were examined in both lab and field. Both the introduced plasmid stability rates of tracer E. coli in pre-aerosolization and post-aerosolization were above 95% in five test days. Survival rate of tracer E. coli at 97.5% ± 1.2% through aerosolization was obtained by an air-atomizer operated at an air pressure of 30 Psi. In the field experiment, the airborne transmission of E. coli between poultry houses was proved and emitted E. coli was more easily transmitted into self-house than adjacent house due to the ventilation design and weather condition. Our results suggested that the tracing method of airborne bacteria was available for the investigation of airborne microbial transmission across built environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zonggang Li
- College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Hongning Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China
| | - Weichao Zheng
- College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
- Corresponding author. College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, No. 17 Qinghua East Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Baoming Li
- College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Yongxiang Wei
- College of Water Resources and Civil Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Beijing, China
| | - Jinxin Zeng
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China
| | - Changwei Lei
- College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Sichuan, China
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resource and Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, Sichuan, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Yang Y, Wang Y, Song B, Fan J, Cao Y, Duan M. Transport and control of droplets: A comparison between two types of local ventilation airflows. POWDER TECHNOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2019.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
23
|
Mu D, Gao N, Zhu T. CFD investigation on the effects of wind and thermal wall-flow on pollutant transmission in a high-rise building. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2018; 137:185-197. [PMID: 32287985 PMCID: PMC7127015 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2018.03.051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2018] [Revised: 03/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The solar radiation can heat the building outer surface, and then cause the upward natural convection flows adjacent to the wall. This phenomenon is especially obvious on a windless sunny day. The near wall thermal plume can drive gaseous pollutants released from lower floors to upper floors. Combined with the effect of ambient approaching wind, the transmission routes will be very complicated. The paper aims to investigate the airflow patterns and pollutant transmission within a building under the effects of wind and thermal forces. A hypothetical twenty-storey slab-shape high-rise building in Shanghai with single-sided natural ventilation is set as the research object in the present study. The intensity of solar radiation on a typical day during transition season is theoretically analysed. The temperature difference between the heated building envelope and the ambient air is calculated by a simplified heat balance model. Finally, the tracer gas method is employed in the numerical simulation to analyse the influence of the wind and wall thermal plume flow on the inter-flat pollutant transmission characteristics. The results show that, the temperature difference between sunward and shady side wall is about 10 K at noon on the designate day. When the source is set as a point with steady intensity and the buoyancy is stronger than or approximately equivalent to the wind, the reentry ratio of the flat immediately above the source can be around 25%.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Naiping Gao
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Wang J, Zhang T, Wang S, Battaglia F. Gaseous pollutant transmission through windows between vertical floors in a multistory building with natural ventilation. ENERGY AND BUILDINGS 2017; 153:325-340. [PMID: 32288118 PMCID: PMC7127727 DOI: 10.1016/j.enbuild.2017.08.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Revised: 07/25/2017] [Accepted: 08/09/2017] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Natural ventilation is an effective strategy to control thermal comfort in buildings, and can be enhanced depending on the window style. The combination of natural ventilation and window can also facilitate the removal or dilution of gaseous pollutants from indoor sources in newly decorated buildings. However, the windows on the same facade may cause gaseous pollutant cross-transmission during single-sided natural ventilation between households on different floors close to the source. Although some research has focused on the pollutant cross-transmission in buildings, the simplification of windows into rectangular openings often affects accurate knowledge of pollutant transmission characteristics. Therefore, this investigation explored gaseous pollutant cross-transmission through real windows during single-sided, buoyancy-driven ventilation in a multistory building. Six types of windows were modeled for the indoor pollutant of gaseous formaldehyde (HCHO). Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was utilized to solve characteristics of pollutant transmission inside and outside the multistory building. The results indicated that the ventilation rates, thermal profiles and pollutant transmission inside and outside the building varied for each window type, although the open window areas were identical. The re-entry ratio of exhausted air entering upper floors and the infection risk of epidemic viruses caused by airborne cross-transmission was sensitive to ventilation rates and window configurations, while the sensitivities for window configurations varied case by case. The comparisons also revealed that the specification of ambient temperature and pollutant release rate ultimately did not affect the evaluation of pollutant cross-transmission using CFD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jihong Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Tengfei Zhang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Shugang Wang
- School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, 2 Linggong Road, Dalian 116024, China
| | - Francine Battaglia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 635 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| |
Collapse
|