International Journal of Computational Fluid Dynamics ( IF 1.3 ) Pub Date : 2021-04-07 , DOI: 10.1080/10618562.2021.1910678 Clifford K. Ho 1
ABSTRACT
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modelling was performed to simulate spatial and temporal airborne pathogen concentrations during an observed COVID-19 outbreak in a restaurant in Guangzhou, China. The reported seating configuration, overlap durations, room ventilation, layout, and dimensions were modelled in the CFD simulations to determine relative exposures and probabilities of infection. Results showed that the trends in the simulated probabilities of infection were consistent with the observed rates of infection at each of the tables surrounding the index patient. Alternative configurations that investigated different boundary conditions and ventilation conditions were also simulated. Increasing the fresh-air percentage to 10%, 50%, and 100% of the supply air reduced the accumulated pathogen mass in the room by an average of ∼30%, ∼70%, and ∼80%, respectively, over 73 min. The probability of infection was reduced by ∼10%, 40%, and 50%, respectively.
Highlights
Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models used to simulate pathogen concentrations
Infection model developed using spatial and temporal CFD results
Simulating spatial variability was important to match observed infection rates
Recirculation increased exposures and probability of infection
Increased fresh-air ventilation decreased exposures and probability of infection