Computational fluid dynamics simulation of air exhaust dispersion from negative isolation wards of hospitals
Journal
Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics
Journal Volume
5
Journal Issue
2
Pages
276-285
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome, or SARS, swept over the world in 2003, with 8,096 probable cases and 774 fatalities in 26 countries. Not immune to the outbreak, Taiwan accounted for 346 probable cases and 37 deaths. Exhaust air in negative isolation wards of SARS hospital is discharged through air shafts, extending directly to the roof; the shaft passes through the filter box and connects with a 5m chimney air shaft, where the exhaust is discharged into the atmosphere. The exhaust air has been tested to prove as safe to the public before exiting to the free air. However, to lower the sense of fear in the public, a dispersion model is requested by the Centers of Disease Control in Taiwan. The dispersion model can be an important reference if the filter system does not work properly. A CFD code is applied to calculate the non-dimensional concentration exhausting air from negative isolation wards. The predicting value of both the maximum concentration and the mean concentration is smaller than 0.01. The objective of this investigation is to simulate the atmospheric transport of plume gases discharged from negative isolation wards, with the aim to serve as future reference when admitting patients with SARS, N1H1, or other flu viruses, determining where high-risk areas are, and to control the public's activities.
SDGs
Publisher
Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Type
journal article