February 9 (UPI) – Scientists have looked at the release of COVID-19 in a number of indoor settings, including restaurants, offices, hospitals and elevators, but there are still many who do not understand the ways in which complex airflow patterns influence viral transmission.
In a study published Tuesday in the journal Physics of Fluids, researchers used solemn computer simulations to study how cold air from air-conditioning interacts with warm air plugs coming from dining tables. in a restaurant.
The symbols showed how the combination of warm and cold air affects the flow of airborne virus particles.
“Our simulation captures a variety of physical factors, including turbulent air flow, thermal impact, disturbed aerosol transport, the limited filtering efficiency of aircraft, as well as the complex geometry of space, which all play a role in air distribution, “study co – author Jiarong Hong, a physicist at the University of Minnesota, said in a press release.
Although several studies have analyzed the possible movement patterns of COVID-19 grains through different interior spaces, from bathrooms to stairwells, most scenarios are speculative. and situations.
This new study used their simulations to make sense of a COVID-19 listed revolution at a restaurant in China.
Through modeling, researchers were able to find out why some people in the restaurant were contagious and some did not.
“[The study] enabled by advanced computing devices used in our simulation, which can handle the complex currents and transport of aerosol and other multi-physics factors involved in a real situation, ”Hong said.
The expected segments of the model of high aerosol exposure over dinner setting tested positive for the virus.
The research revealed two methods of viral transmission that were missed by previous modeling attempts.
Symptoms showed that air rising from being under a table emitted areas of high aerosol exposure. The model also showed aircraft with poor filtration capabilities detecting what researchers used “reentry aerosols”. “
“Our work highlights the need for greater prevention measures, such as better under-board protection and improving the filtration efficiency of aircraft,” Hong said.
“More importantly, our research demonstrates the capability and value of high-fidelity computer simulation tools for air infection risk assessment and the development of effective protective measures,” Hong said.