Computational Modeling of the COVID-19 Particle Spreading in the Airport Terminals

该项目与卡尔加里机场管理局的数据和分析部门合作，目标是应用高保真计算建模方法来评估冠状病毒颗粒在给定空间（例如机场航站楼或飞机机舱）中传播的程度。在这些环境中，空气流动模式非常复杂，经验关系可能会超出其适用范围。所应用的计算框架可以准确地预测复杂受限空间中多相湍流的行为。特别是，不同的呼吸模式，例如打喷嚏，咳嗽和正常呼吸，将模拟从一个人和一组人在空间内，如机场航站楼。模型中还将考虑实际的空调系统，以预测周围空气中颗粒的行为及其沉积。模拟将使我们能够测试假设，即目前的指导方针是否是对个人之间安全距离的现实估计。数值框架将有助于确定颗粒最有可能积聚的地方，并可以就哪些表面需要更经常地清洁提出建议。可以提供关于如何安置工作人员（例如在大门或安全检查点）以最大限度地减少感染可能性的指导方针。

In collaboration with Data and Analytics at the Calgary Airport Authority, the goal of this project is to apply high-fidelity computational modeling approach to assess the extent to which the coronavirus particles may spread through a given space (e.g. airport terminals or airplane cabins). In these environments the air flow patterns are very complex, and the empirical relations are likely will be outside the range of their applicability. The computational framework to be applied can accurately predict the behavior of multi-phase turbulent flows in complex confined spaces. In particular, different breathing modes, e.g. sneeze, cough and normal breathing, will be simulated from a single person and a group of people inside the spaces like airport terminals. The actual air conditioning systems will also be taken into account in the model in order to predict the behavior of the particles in the surrounding air and its deposition. The simulation will enable us to test the hypothesis of whether the current guidelines is a realistic estimate of a safe distance between the individuals. The numerical framework will help to identify the most likely places where the particles will accumulate, and recommendations could be made as to which surfaces need to be cleaned more often. The guidelines can be provided on how to place the staff members (e.g. at the gates or at the security check points) to minimize the likelihood of infection.