Development of a high-volume ambient aerosol sampling inlet with an adjustable cutoff size and its performance evaluation using road dust.

Aerosol samplers are generally classified into particulate matter (PM2.5 or PM10) and total suspended particle (TSP) samplers. As changing the cutoff size is cumbersome, it necessitates either replacing the particle size separator or adjusting the sampling flow rate. In this study, a novel high-volume aerosol-sampling inlet with an adjustable cutoff size was developed. Its performance was evaluated at a sampling flow rate of 1000 L/min of road dust. The cyclone separator installed with the newly developed inlet absorbed airflow from all directions. The cutoff size of this inlet was easily adjustable using the guide vane angle. For the guide vane angles of 29°, 42°, and 90° (at a 2 km/h freestream velocity), the cutoff sizes were 2.59, 9.92, and 26.2 µm, respectively. At the 90° angle of the guide vanes and the free stream velocity of 2 km/h, no rotational airflow occurred inside the cyclone separator to allow TSP sampling. Increasing the freestream velocity to 16 km/h at angles of 29° and 42° decreased the cutoff size by 0.12 and 0.45 µm, respectively; finely adjusting these angles further reduced the cutoff size to 0.04 and 0.07 µm, respectively. Thus, an almost constant cutoff size was possible. The developed inlet allowed sampling of PM2.5, PM10, or TSP using a single device.

Development of Three-Stage Bioaerosol Sampler for Size-Selective Sampling.

In this study, a three-stage bio-aerosol sampler with a sampling flow rate of 170 L/min was designed and fabricated for sampling the bio-aerosols released during human breathing and coughing, and its performance was evaluated. The sampler was constructed using a cyclone separator with a cutoff size of 2.5 µm as a preseparator, a multinozzle virtual impactor with a cutoff size of 0.34 µm as an aerosol concentrator, and a Bio-Sampler, which is a commercial product, for collecting bio-aerosols in a collection fluid. The collection efficiency of the sampler was evaluated through simulations and experiments. Only particles with sizes of 0.1-4 µm were selectively collected in the collection fluid. Bacteriophage bio-aerosols were sampled using the developed sampler and ACD-200 Bobcat sampler, which is a commercial product. The amounts of collected bacteriophages were compared using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The sampling performance of the developed sampler was similar to that of the ACD-200 Bobcat sampler. Moreover, the developed sampler showed its ability to sample bio-aerosols of a specific size range and collect them directly in a collection fluid for the PCR analysis. Therefore, the developed sampler is expected to be useful for indoor environmental monitoring by effectively sampling the bio-aerosols released indoors during human breathing and coughing.

High-volume sampler for size-selective sampling of bioaerosols including viruses.

Owing to the recent global spread of the new coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the development of technology to effectively detect viruses in crowded public places is urgently needed. In this study, a three-stage high-volume bioaerosol sampler was developed for the size-selective sampling of bioaerosols through the suction of air at a high flow rate of 1000 L/min. In stage 1, an omnidirectional inlet cyclone separator that can draw air from all directions was applied to collect bioaerosols larger than 10 µm in the collection fluid. In stage 2, an axial flow cyclone separator was used to collect bioaerosols sized between 2.5 and 10 µm in the collection fluid. In stage 3, bioaerosols smaller than 2.5 µm were collected on a filter and extracted in a solution through an elution process using a sodium phosphate buffer. To simulate the suspension of bioparticles including viruses that are attached to other particles in the atmosphere, the aerosol samples were prepared by coagulating aerosolized bacteriophages with Arizona test dust. Then, the coagulated particles were collected for 30 min using the developed bioaerosol sampler, and the samples collected in each stage were analyzed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. The PCR analysis results confirmed that the high-volume bioaerosol sampler enables size-selective bioaerosol sampling even at a high airflow rate of 1000 L/min. The developed high-volume bioaerosol sampler will be useful in detecting viruses through PCR analysis because it can collect bioaerosols within a specific size range.

Size-dependent characteristics of diurnal particle concentration variation in an underground subway tunnel.

Understanding characteristics of diurnal particle concentration variation in an underground subway tunnel is important to reduce subway passengers' exposure to high levels of toxic particle pollution. In this study, real-time particle monitoring for eight consecutive days was done at a shelter located in the middle of a one-way underground subway tunnel in Seoul, Republic of Korea, during the summer of 2015. Particle mass concentration was measured using a dust monitor and particle number concentration using an optical particle counter. From the diurnal variations in PM10, PM2.5, and PM1, concentrations of particles larger than 0.54 µm optical particle diameter were affected by train frequency whereas those of particles smaller than 0.54 µm optical particle diameter were not changed by train frequency. Number concentration of particles smaller than 1.15 µm optical particle diameter was dependent on outdoor ambient air particle concentration level, whereas that of particles larger than 1.15 µm optical particle diameter was independent of outdoor ambient air due to low ventilation system transmission efficiency of micrometer-sized particles. In addition, an equation was suggested to predict the diurnal particle concentration in an underground tunnel by considering emission, ventilation, and deposition effects.

Natural Ventilation and Air Purification for Effective Removal of Airborne Virus in Classrooms with Heater Operation.

Mass COVID-19 infection cases in indoor spaces have been continuously reported since its global outbreak, generating increasing public interest in reducing the spread of the virus. This study considered a situation in which an infected individual continuously releases the virus into the air in a classroom, simulated by continuous injection of NaCl particles ≤ 5 µm, with heater operation during winter. The effects of applying natural ventilation and operating one or two air purifiers on the removal of virus-containing aerosols were experimentally compared and analyzed based on the spatiotemporal changes in NaCl concentration within the classroom. When a heater was operated with all windows shut, operating one and two air purifiers reduced the amount of the aerosol in indoor air by approximately 50 and 60%, respectively, compared to the case with no air purifier. Additionally, when the heater was operated with one or two air purifiers under natural ventilation, the amount of virus-containing aerosol in the air was reduced by 86-88% compared to the case with neither natural ventilation nor air purifier. Because natural ventilation significantly varies with weather conditions and particulate matter concentrations, combining natural ventilation with air purifiers in classrooms during winter needs to be adjusted appropriately.

Analytic simulation of thermophoretic second grade fluid flow past a vertical surface with variable fluid characteristics and convective heating.

The study considers the effect of thermophoresis particle deposition on the flow properties of second grade fluid with variable viscosity, variable thermal conductivity and variable concentration diffusivity subjected to a convective boundary condition. To further describe the transport phenomenon, the special case of assisting and opposing flows is explored. Using similarity transformations, the governing equations of the fluid model are transformed and parameterized into a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The approximate analytic solution of a dimensionless system is obtained through the Optimal Homotopy Analysis Method (OHAM). It is observed that velocity and temperature distributions are decreasing functions of the second grade parameter for both assisting and opposing flows. When the thermophoretic parameter is increased, the concentration distributions at the first and fourth orders of chemical reaction decrease. For both opposing and assisting flows, velocity distributions are enhanced due to larger temperature-dependent viscous parameters.

Induced magnetic field and viscous dissipation on flows of two immiscible fluids in a rectangular channel.

The unsteady, magneto-hydrodynamic generalized Couette flows of two immiscible fluids in a rectangular channel with isothermal walls under the influence of an inclined magnetic field and an axial electric field have been investigated. Both fluids are considered electrically conducting and the solid boundaries are electrically insulated. Approximate analytical solutions for the velocity, induced magnetic, and temperature fields have been determined using the Laplace transform method along with the numerical Stehfest's algorithm for the inversion of the Laplace transforms. Also, for the nonlinear differential equation of energy, a numerical scheme based on the finite differences has been developed. A particular case has been numerically and graphically studied to show the evolution of the fluid velocity, induced magnetic field, and viscous dissipation in both flow regions.

Study on the Ventilation Method to Maintain the PM10 Concentration in a Subway Cabin below 35 µg/m3.

The city of Seoul will limit the maximum particulate matter (PM10) concentration to ≤35 µg/m3 (from 2024). Herein, a numerical parametric study was conducted on the PM removal efficiency of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters installed in the ceiling of subway cabins. The PM10 concentration distribution was explored according to the flow rate and flow rate ratio of the air introduced into the cabin. Under the current ventilation conditions of the subway train HVAC system, the PM10 concentration was highest in the cabin central area where exhaust outlets are located and decreased toward both ends of the cabin. The indoor airflow was improved and the PM10 concentration was reduced by increasing the flow rate of the supplied air at both ends of the cabin while decreasing it in the central area. It was found that the strengthened PM10 concentration criterion of Seoul can be met by increasing the ventilation flow rate to 700 CMH (currently, 500 CMH) and the filter efficiency to 85% (currently, 70%) while maintaining the current flow rate ratio. These results are expected to be used as important reference data for reducing the PM concentration in subway cabins and thereby improving indoor air quality.

Rheology of electromagnetohydrodynamic tangent hyperbolic nanofluid over a stretching riga surface featuring dufour effect and activation energy.

The present model deals with the consequence of Dufour, activation energy, and generation of heat on electromagnetohydrodynamic flow of hyperbolic tangent nanofluid via a stretching sheet. This offers a broad significance in several engineering fields. With adequate similarity variables, the regulating governing equations of PDEs are renovated into nonlinear ODEs. The numerical output of the produced ordinary differential equations is conducted with MATLAB bvp4c. The influence of increasing features on temperature, velocity, concentration patterns, drag force coefficient, Sherwood number and Nusselt number is depicted graphically and numerically. Hence, the resultant conclusions are confirmed utilising contrast with earlier output. Interestingly, the activation energy retards the nanofluid's tangential hyperbolic concentration distribution and the rise in temperature of the hyperbolic tangential nanofluid flow is traceable to an increase in the Dufour effect, However, the electromagnetohydrodynamic variable increases the velocity distribution, which influences the Power law index. Conclusively, the rate of heat transfer is inhibited when the thermophoresis parameter, heat source and the Weissenberg number are enhanced.

Reducing PM10 and PM2.5 Concentrations in a Subway Station by Changing the Diffuser Arrangement.

According to the stringent regulations on particulate matter (PM) concentrations in Seoul, Korea, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations in subway stations must be maintained below 50 and 30 µg/m3, respectively, by 2024. Therefore, the PM concentrations in a subway station were analyzed considering air-conditioning diffuser arrangement and filtration efficiency, with the total ventilation flow rate of the station maintained constant. Dynamic analysis was performed under a worst-case scenario, wherein outdoor air was introduced through ground entrances and high-concentration dust (PM10, PM2.5) was introduced from stationary train cabins into the platforms through open platform screen doors (PSDs). Although the average PM concentrations were predicted to satisfy the reinforced criteria of Seoul under the existing operating conditions, the recommended limits were exceeded in certain local areas. To address this, the PM concentrations were predicted by changing the diffuser arrangement in the waiting room and maintaining the total ventilation flow rate constant. When the diffusers were placed near the waiting room walls, the PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were reduced by approximately 10.5 and 5%, respectively, compared to the previous diffuser arrangement. Thus, the required PM concentration criteria were satisfied in nearly all areas of the target station, except for certain areas close to PSDs. The study findings can form the basis for improving the air quality of other subway stations.

Enhancement and Homogenization of Indoor Air Quality in a Classroom Using a Vertical Airflow Ventilation Scheme.

Since air quality has a great influence on students' health and learning ability, enhancing air quality in classrooms is important. Currently, widely distributed ventilation systems operate by moving airflow horizontally from ventilation inlets and outlets on the ceiling. This method can reduce the average pollution in a space by diluting it through air exchange; however, it is limited regarding homogeneous cleanliness due to air stagnation at some locations. Therefore, in this study, a new ventilation system was devised to improve indoor air quality and spatial homogeneity by installing ventilation inlets on the ceiling and numerous outlets on the floor, creating a vertical airflow in the interior space; this system was then applied to a middle school classroom. Using the age of air as an index, air quality improvement between the existing and newly designed ventilation systems was compared. In the classroom with the existing ventilation system, the age of air was low in the area near the ventilation inlets, while air congestion areas were widely distributed and air age was high near the outlets. Conversely, in the vertical airflow classroom, the average age of air was approximately 15% lower than that with the existing ventilation system, and the deviation of air age for each position in the classroom space was also reduced, showing a uniform air age distribution. Therefore, the vertical airflow ventilation system proposed in this study can be an effective ventilation scheme for enhancing and homogenizing indoor air quality.

Dynamic Analysis of Closed Die Electromagnetic Sheet Metal Forming to Predict Deformation and Failure of AA6061-T6 Alloy Using a Fully Coupled Finite Element Model.

This research presents a fully coupled 3D numerical model to analyse the dynamics of high-speed electromagnetic forming process for aluminium alloy AA6061-T6. The effect of Lorentz force distribution, velocity and kinetic energy on deformation, the bounce back effect and failure of the sheet has been investigated. Experiments were performed for AA6061-T6 alloy using an 18.750 KJ electromagnetic forming machine for varying the sheet thickness (0.5 mm, 1.02 mm and 1.63 mm) compared with the simulation results. The results showed that increasing the sheet thickness increases the Lorentz force due to a higher induced current. The inertial forces were more pronounced in thicker sheets (1.63 mm) as compared to the thinner sheets (0.5 mm and 1.02 mm), resulting in a higher bounce back effect for the thicker sheet. The numerical model accurately predicted the sheet failure for the 0.5-mm sheet, as also observed from the experimentation. The sheet deformation from simulations was found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.

Investigation of the Optimal Operating Position of an Air Cleaner in Terms of Indoor Air Quality in a Four-Bed Hospital Ward.

The use of air cleaners indoors has increased with the increase in indoor activities driven by the COVID-19 outbreak. In this study, the indoor air quality was determined at the location of each patient's respirator in a four-bed hospital ward equipped with a ventilation system and curtains, by varying the position of one air cleaner. By operating the air cleaner alone without the ventilation system, it was confirmed that it is better to place the air cleaner close to the center of the ward, regardless of whether curtains are used. It was further identified that the farther away the air cleaner is from the center, the worse the age of air could be, compared to the case of operating it in the center. Moreover, the situation where the ventilation system and air cleaner were operated simultaneously in the hospital ward was considered. It was discovered that operating the air cleaner close to the ventilation inlets in the absence of curtains helps to improve the indoor air quality. Furthermore, it was found that the age of the air is generally low near the location where the air cleaner is operated in the presence of curtains. Selecting an optimal position for the air cleaner can improve the air quality at the location of each bed in a four-bed hospital ward.

Comparison of Indoor Air Quality in Summer and Winter According to Four-Way Cassette Fan Coil Unit Operation in a Four-Bed Ward.

This study targeted a four-bed ward with a ventilation system and a four-way cassette fan coil unit (4-way FCU) installed on the ceiling. The indoor air quality under summer and winter conditions was comparatively analyzed. The age of air was calculated by conducting tests and simulations under diverse conditions, assuming that the ventilation system and 4-way FCU were continuously operating. The use of an air cleaner and ward curtain was investigated for its impact on the air quality in the breathing zone of a patient lying on the bed, and effects of the airflow and discharge angle of the 4-way FCU were considered. Because the 4-way FCU was installed in the central part of the ceiling, where indoor air is sucked in and subsequently discharged in four directions, the age of air at each bed was found to vary depending on the airflow and discharge angle of the 4-way FCU. When the airflow and discharge angle of the 4-way FCU was fixed, the age of air at each bed appeared to be lower during winter heating than in summer cooling mode. The age of air was significantly lowered at each bed, depending on the use of the curtain and the air cleaner along with the ventilation system and 4-way FCU, and appropriate seasonal operating conditions were identified to maintain a lower age of air at each bed.

Overestimation of on-road air quality surveying data measured with a mobile laboratory caused by exhaust plumes of a vehicle ahead in dense traffic areas.

The unintended influence of exhaust plumes emitted from a vehicle ahead to on-road air quality surveying data measured with a mobile laboratory (ML) at 20-40 km h-1 in dense traffic areas was investigated by experiment and life-sized computational fluidic dynamics (CFD) simulation. The ML equipped with variable sampling inlets of five columns by four rows was used to measure the spatial distribution of CO2 and NOx concentrations when following 5-20 m behind a sport utility vehicle (SUV) as an emitter vehicle equipped with a portable emission monitoring system (PEMS). The PEMS measured exhaust gases at the tailpipe for input data of the CFD simulations. After the CFD method was verified with experimental results of the SUV, dispersion of exhaust plumes emitted from a bus and a sedan was numerically analyzed. More dilution of the exhaust plume was observed at higher vehicle speeds, probably because of eddy diffusion that was proportional to turbulent kinetic energy and vehicle speed. The CO2 and NOx concentrations behind the emitter vehicle showed less overestimation as both the distance between the two vehicles and their background concentrations increased. If the height of the ML inlet is lower than 2 m and the ML travels within 20 m behind a SUV and a sedan ahead at 20 km h-1, the overestimation should be considered by as much as 200 ppb in NOx and 80 ppm in CO2. Following a bus should be avoided if possible, because effect of exhaust plumes from a bus ahead could not be negligible even when the distance between the bus and the ML with the inlet height of 2 m, was more than 40 m. Recommendations are provided to avoid the unintended influence of exhaust plumes from vehicles ahead of the ML during on-road measurement in urban dense traffic conditions.

Workplace Exposure to Titanium Dioxide Nanopowder Released from a Bag Filter System.

Many researchers who use laboratory-scale synthesis systems to manufacture nanomaterials could be easily exposed to airborne nanomaterials during the research and development stage. This study used various real-time aerosol detectors to investigate the presence of nanoaerosols in a laboratory used to manufacture titanium dioxide (TiO2). The TiO2 nanopowders were produced via flame synthesis and collected by a bag filter system for subsequent harvesting. Highly concentrated nanopowders were released from the outlet of the bag filter system into the laboratory. The fractional particle collection efficiency of the bag filter system was only 20% at particle diameter of 100 nm, which is much lower than the performance of a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Furthermore, the laboratory hood system was inadequate to fully exhaust the air discharged from the bag filter system. Unbalanced air flow rates between bag filter and laboratory hood systems could result in high exposure to nanopowder in laboratory settings. Finally, we simulated behavior of nanopowders released in the laboratory using computational fluid dynamics (CFD).