Displacement ventilation to avoid COVID-19 transmission through offices.

Abstract

Respiratory infections such as COVID-19 can be spread by respiratory droplets with a diameter larger than 5-10 μ m or by droplet nuclei with a diameter smaller than 5 μ m . Besides wearing masks, fresh air should be supplied frequently in closed rooms to avoid infections. Constructing and operating new isolation rooms require time, money, and maintenance cost, which are scarce in the current pandemic and in many communities. Displacement ventilation may be a feasible and secure option in temporary hospitals and other buildings to control the disease. This paper investigates using CFD simulations how displacement ventilation systems can deliver high air quality, and thermal comfort and minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection in enclosed spaces.