Development of advanced in-duct ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems for air disinfection applications: Mechanism testing, modelling & simulations, and optimal design

由于COVID-19的爆发，生物气溶胶最近受到了极大的关注。使用紫外线杀死病毒将是一种可行的方法。虽然市场上有各种各样的紫外线灯，但由于缺乏确凿的测试数据，很难证明它们在空气处理装置中的有效性。此外，由于对失活机制和影响因素的了解有限，尚无有效使用建筑物内风管空气灭菌系统的设计指南。该研究项目汇集了来自阿尔伯塔大学和供暖、通风和空调（HVAC）制造商的专家，开发了一种设计工具，用于生产先进的管道内紫外线杀菌辐照（UVGI）系统，用于灭活空气中的生物气溶胶。项目完成后，项目成果将为加拿大带来以下好处：1)健康/环境：工程师和决策者将利用先进的消毒HVAC系统来推广下一代防护建筑系统，这些系统将降低与COVID-19病毒和其他病原体相关的健康风险，从而可能挽救生命。(2)社会：为办公室、学校、餐厅、商场、医院、飞机等提供更加舒适健康的室内环境，尽量减少疫情对人们日常生活的影响，确保人们的生活和工作有序进行。3)经济：该研究项目旨在为公众提供先进的管道空气消毒系统，以使经济复苏畅通无阻。

Bioaerosol has recently received substantial attention due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Killing viruses by using ultraviolet light would be a viable approach. Though there have been diverse UV lamps in the market, a lack of conclusive testing data makes them hard to demonstrate their effectiveness in air handling units. In addition, there is no available design guide for the effective use of in-duct air sterilization systems for buildings due to limited knowledge of the inactivation mechanism and influencing factors. This research program brings together experts from the University of Alberta and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) manufacturers to develop a design tool to produce advanced in-duct ultraviolet germicidal irradiance (UVGI) systems for inactivating airborne bioaerosols. Upon completion, the project outcomes will bring benefits to Canada in: 1) Health/Environment: Engineers and decision-makers will take advantage of the advanced disinfecting HVAC systems to promote the next generation of protective building systems that will reduce the health risks associated with COVID-19 viruses and other pathogens, potentially saving lives. 2) Society: By providing a more comfortable and healthy indoor environment for offices, schools, restaurants, shopping malls, hospitals, airplanes, and so on, we will try to minimize the pandemic impacts on people's daily lives and ensure that people's lives and work are carried out in an orderly manner. 3) Economy: This research program works to provide advanced in-duct air sterilization systems to the public to allow for unimpeded economic recovery.