Air purification and sterilization - Towards design of immune and sustainable buildings

一方面，对居住者健康、舒适、能源消耗和环境的关注成为通风系统设计的主要考虑因素，另一方面，对公共安全的威胁也不容忽视，需要考虑。化学和生物制剂的突然释放可能对公共建筑的安全和安保构成威胁，并可能造成伤害和生命损失。近年来，空气净化器技术已被引入工业建筑和医院的空气消毒和净化，因为它的长寿命，功能性和可持续性。然而，这项技术尚未应用于非工业建筑环境，特别是化学和生物制剂的突然释放的可能性尚未得到解决。在这种情况下，清洁系统的有效性在很大程度上取决于释放的位置、空气净化器装置的类型、污染物的类型以及其他几个参数。拟议研究的长期目标是建立一个多学科研究团队，将专注于研究和开发空气净化和空气净化装置，新型传感器，控制策略和免疫建筑设计指南。在未来三年内要实现的短期目标是：1)制定一套方法来评估有前途的空气净化和灭菌设备的性能；2)开发设计模拟工具来预测这些设备在有意或无意释放情况下的性能，以及3)开发新设备和/或改进现有设备的性能。这项研究将发展空气净化和灭菌设备的知识和技术，这些设备可以通过空气分配系统中和化学和生物制剂的传播，并将有助于制定适当的标准。这项工作完成后，将通过向建筑物管理人员和应急小组提供关键信息，帮助制定有效的应对措施，以挽救生命。

On the one hand, concerns about occupants' health, comfort, energy consumption and environment are becoming a main design consideration for ventilation systems, and on the other hand, threats to public safety and security cannot be overlooked and need to be taken into consideration. The sudden release of chemical and biological agents can pose a safety and security threat to public buildings and can cause injuries and loss of life. Recently air cleaner technology has been introduced for air sterilization and purification in industrial buildings and hospitals due to its long life, functionality and sustainability. However this technology has not been applied to the non-industrial built environment in general, and the possibility of a sudden release of chemical and biological agents in particular has not been addressed. In this scenario the effectiveness of the cleaning system strongly depends on the location of release, the type of air cleaner device, type of contaminant, as well as several other parameters. The long-term objective of the proposed study is to establish a multidisciplinary research team that will focus on the research and development of air cleaning and air purification devices, new sensors, control strategies, and guidelines for design of immune buildings. The short-term objectives that are to be achieved over the next three years, for which financial support is requested, are: 1) Develop a set of methodologies to evaluate the performance of promising air purification and sterilization devices; chemical anc biological, 2)Develop design simulation tools to predict the performance of these devices in case of an intentional or unintentional release scenario, and 3)Develop new devices and/or improve the performance of existing ones. This research will develop the knowledge and advance the technology of air purification and sterilization devices that can neutralize the spread of chemical and biological agents through air distribution systems and will assist in developing the appropriate standards. When completed, this work will help in developing an effective response to save lives by providing critical information to building managers and emergency response teams.