CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency of understanding virus transmission dynamics, particularly in indoor environments characterized by high occupancy and suboptimal ventilation systems. Airborne transmission, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a significant risk,...
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MDPI AG
2024-10-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1316 |
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| author | Mauro Scungio Giulia Parlani Giorgio Buonanno Luca Stabile |
| author_facet | Mauro Scungio Giulia Parlani Giorgio Buonanno Luca Stabile |
| author_sort | Mauro Scungio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency of understanding virus transmission dynamics, particularly in indoor environments characterized by high occupancy and suboptimal ventilation systems. Airborne transmission, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a significant risk, influenced by various factors, including contact duration, individual susceptibility, and environmental conditions. Respiratory particles play a pivotal role in viral spread, remaining suspended in the air for varying durations and distances. Experimental studies provide insights into particle dispersion characteristics, especially in indoor environments where ventilation systems may be inadequate. However, experimental challenges necessitate complementary numerical modeling approaches. Zero-dimensional models offer simplified estimations but lack spatial and temporal resolution, whereas Computational Fluid Dynamics, particularly with the Discrete Phase Model, overcomes these limitations by simulating airflow and particle dispersion comprehensively. This paper employs CFD-DPM to simulate airflow and particle dispersion in a coach bus, offering insights into virus transmission dynamics. This study evaluates the COVID-19 risk of infection for vulnerable individuals sharing space with an infected passenger and investigates the efficacy of personal ventilation in reducing infection risk. Indeed, the CFD simulations revealed the crucial role of ventilation systems in reducing COVID-19 transmission risk within coach buses: increasing clean airflow rate and implementing personal ventilation significantly decreased particle concentration. Overall, infection risk was negligible for scenarios involving only breathing but significant for prolonged exposure to a speaking infected individual. The findings contribute to understanding infection risk in public transportation, emphasizing the need for optimal ventilation strategies to ensure passenger safety and mitigate virus transmission. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-6b4b783cd6cb4a24afaa107dd89ef5fb |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj-art-6b4b783cd6cb4a24afaa107dd89ef5fb2025-08-20T02:26:47ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-10-011511131610.3390/atmos15111316CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation ConfigurationsMauro Scungio0Giulia Parlani1Giorgio Buonanno2Luca Stabile3Department of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, via del Paradiso 47, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyDepartment of Economics, Engineering, Society and Business Organization, University of Tuscia, via del Paradiso 47, 01100 Viterbo, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via G. di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, ItalyDepartment of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, via G. di Biasio 43, 03043 Cassino, ItalyThe COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency of understanding virus transmission dynamics, particularly in indoor environments characterized by high occupancy and suboptimal ventilation systems. Airborne transmission, recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO), poses a significant risk, influenced by various factors, including contact duration, individual susceptibility, and environmental conditions. Respiratory particles play a pivotal role in viral spread, remaining suspended in the air for varying durations and distances. Experimental studies provide insights into particle dispersion characteristics, especially in indoor environments where ventilation systems may be inadequate. However, experimental challenges necessitate complementary numerical modeling approaches. Zero-dimensional models offer simplified estimations but lack spatial and temporal resolution, whereas Computational Fluid Dynamics, particularly with the Discrete Phase Model, overcomes these limitations by simulating airflow and particle dispersion comprehensively. This paper employs CFD-DPM to simulate airflow and particle dispersion in a coach bus, offering insights into virus transmission dynamics. This study evaluates the COVID-19 risk of infection for vulnerable individuals sharing space with an infected passenger and investigates the efficacy of personal ventilation in reducing infection risk. Indeed, the CFD simulations revealed the crucial role of ventilation systems in reducing COVID-19 transmission risk within coach buses: increasing clean airflow rate and implementing personal ventilation significantly decreased particle concentration. Overall, infection risk was negligible for scenarios involving only breathing but significant for prolonged exposure to a speaking infected individual. The findings contribute to understanding infection risk in public transportation, emphasizing the need for optimal ventilation strategies to ensure passenger safety and mitigate virus transmission.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1316computational fluid dynamicsmultiphase flowairborne disease spreadingindoorbustransportation |
| spellingShingle | Mauro Scungio Giulia Parlani Giorgio Buonanno Luca Stabile CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations Atmosphere computational fluid dynamics multiphase flow airborne disease spreading indoor bus transportation |
| title | CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations |
| title_full | CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations |
| title_fullStr | CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations |
| title_full_unstemmed | CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations |
| title_short | CFD Evaluation of Respiratory Particle Dispersion and Associated Infection Risk in a Coach Bus with Different Ventilation Configurations |
| title_sort | cfd evaluation of respiratory particle dispersion and associated infection risk in a coach bus with different ventilation configurations |
| topic | computational fluid dynamics multiphase flow airborne disease spreading indoor bus transportation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/11/1316 |
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