Experimental evaluation of respiratory droplet spread to rooms connected by a central ventilation system

Vlachokostas, Alex; Burns, Carolyn A.; Salsbury, Timothy I.; Daniel, Richard C.; James, Daniel P.; Flaherty, Julia E.; Wang, Na; Underhill, Ronald M.; Kulkarni, Gourihar; Pease, Leonard F.

doi:10.1111/ina.12940

Title: Experimental evaluation of respiratory droplet spread to rooms connected by a central ventilation system

Journal Article · 19 January 2022 · Indoor Air

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/ina.12940 · OSTI ID:1845013

Vlachokostas, Alex ^[1]; Burns, Carolyn A. ^[1]; Salsbury, Timothy I. ^[1]; Daniel, Richard C. ^[1]; James, Daniel P. ^[1]; Flaherty, Julia E. ^[1]; Wang, Na ^[1]; Underhill, Ronald M. ^[1]; Kulkarni, Gourihar ^[1]; Pease, Leonard F. ^[1]

Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

This article presents results from an experimental study to ascertain the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus between rooms in a building that are connected by a central ventilation system. Respiratory droplet surrogates made of mucus and virus mimics were released in one room in a test building and measurements of concentration levels were made in other rooms connected via the ventilation system. The paper presents experimental results for different ventilation system configurations, including ventilation rate, filtration level (up to MERV-13), and fractional outdoor air intake. The most important finding is that respiratory droplets can and do transit through central ventilation systems, suggesting a mechanism for viral transmission (and COVID-19 specifically) within the built environment in reasonable agreement with well-mixed models. We also find the deposition of these droplets on room walls to be negligibly small. Furthermore, the energy use impact of the different configuration settings is also quantified to help inform intelligent building operation that can simultaneously address energy use and occupant health.

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Research Organization:: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: AC05-76RL01830

OSTI ID:: 1845013

Report Number(s):: PNNL-SA-162537

Journal Information:: Indoor Air, Journal Name: Indoor Air Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 32; ISSN 0905-6947

Publisher:: WileyCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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