Ultraviolet germicidal irradiance (UVGI) - photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) for COVID-19 risk mitigation: a hybrid technique to develop effective antiviral air purification systems

该研究计划汇集了来自阿尔伯塔大学和供暖，通风和空调（HVAC）行业的专家，以开发先进的管道内抗病毒空气净化器系统。虽然紫外线杀菌辐照度（UVGI）已经知道了很长一段时间，但由于缺乏确凿的测试数据，很难证明UVGI的有效性。此外，空气处理单元中采用的管道内UVGI设备的高气流可导致低UV剂量，从而导致低效率。这项研究解决了如何UVGI病毒灭活效率可以最大限度地结合光催化氧化（PCO）技术，提供羟基自由基。该研究计划将研究：1）混合UVGI-PCO技术用于病毒灭活的可行性; 2）有效灭活病毒的最佳抗病毒空气净化器的设计标准;以及3）抗病毒空气净化器系统对减少交叉感染的有效性。这项研究直接符合基金的愿景，特别是设计先进的COVID-19相关设备，以减轻COVID-19病毒在建筑物中的传播。结果具有地方、国家和国际适用性。因此，这项工作将为应对COVID-19紧急情况提供必要的工程措施，同时对治疗和缓解未来的健康危机具有影响。

This research program brings together experts from the University of Alberta and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) industry to develop advanced in-duct antiviral air purifier systems in buildings. Though the ultraviolet germicidal irradiance (UVGI) has been known for a long time, a lack of conclusive testing data makes it hard to demonstrate the effectiveness of UVGI. In addition, the high airflow for in-duct UVGI equipment employed in air-handling units can lead to the low UV dose and thus low efficiency. This research addresses how the UVGI efficiency on virus inactivation could be maximized in conjugation with photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) technology that provides hydroxyl radicals. This research program will examine: 1) feasibility of the hybrid UVGI-PCO technologies for virus inactivation; 2) design criteria for an optimal antiviral air purifier for efficient virus inactivation; and 3) effectiveness of antiviral air purifier system on the cross-infection reduction. This research directly aligns with the visions of the fund, in particular, to design advanced COVID-19-relevant equipment to mitigate the COVID-19 virus spread in buildings. The results have local, national and international applicability. Therefore, this work will provide essential engineering measures to address the COVID-19 emergency while having implications to treat and mitigate future health crises.