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

该研究项目汇集了艾伯塔大学和暖通空调(HVAC)行业的专家，以开发建筑物内先进的管道抗病毒空气净化器系统。虽然紫外线杀菌辐射(UVGI)早已为人所知，但由于缺乏确凿的测试数据，很难证明UVGI的有效性。此外，空气处理机组中采用的风道内UVGI设备的高风量会导致低紫外线剂量，从而降低效率。这项研究解决了如何通过与提供羟基自由基的光催化氧化(PCO)技术相结合来最大化UVGI对病毒灭活的效率。这项研究计划将审查：1)UVGI-PCO混合技术用于灭活病毒的可行性；2)高效灭活病毒的最佳抗病毒空气净化器的设计准则；以及3)抗病毒空气净化器系统在减少交叉感染方面的有效性。这项研究与该基金的愿景直接一致，特别是设计先进的新冠肺炎相关设备，以缓解新冠肺炎病毒在建筑物中的传播。研究结果具有地方性、全国性和国际性的适用性。因此，这项工作将为应对新冠肺炎紧急情况提供必要的工程措施，同时对应对和缓解未来的健康危机产生影响。

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.