Solar energy assisted thermal treatment model to decontaminate airborne viruses in hospital. (1st December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Soni, Neelesh; Sharma, Debojit; Nimesh, Vikas; Mahendra Reddy, V.
• Is Part Of: Thermal science and engineering progress. Volume 36(2023)
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01
• Subjects: Solar PTC -- Airborne viruses -- Thermal treatment -- Porous air heating -- Mathematical modelling; Heat engineering -- Periodicals; Heat engineering; Thermodynamics; Periodicals; 621.402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tsep.2022.101516
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2451-9049

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Thermal treatment model based on porous heating to decontaminate the airborne viruses in hospitals. Solar parabolic collector and electric heaters are used to heat the infected air to abolish the virus. An insulated chamber ascertains the requisite exposure period for complete decontamination. The heat exchanger, storage tanks, and air-cooling system are anticipated for optimal cooling of the high-temperature decontaminated air. Abstract: The evolution of airborne viruses across the globe has caused many deaths in recent decades. Currently, the world is witnessing the terrible behavior of SARS-CoV-2. The airborne viruses attached to the suspended air particles for a long time and spread rapidly. The dispersal of airborne viruses in the indoor air increases the risk of diseases. The present study endorses a solar-assisted heat treatment model to decontaminate airborne viruses and provide hospitals with disinfected air. A simplified model comprises the heating and cooling sections to abolish airborne viruses and cool the treated air. The heating section includes a solar parabolic trough collector (PTC)/electrical heater, porous domain, and decontamination chamber, while the cooling unit comprises storage tanks and an air cooler. A heat exchanger exchanges energy between hot and cold air streams. A solar PTC offers air heating during day time; however, the porous domain with the electrical heaters acts during the night and intermediate time. The airborne viruses can be abolished by passing through a porous domain and decontaminating chamber at 105 °C upholding an exposure period of 5 mins. The cooling section cools the disinfected air to comfortable conditions. A numerical analysis finds the optimal porosity of 0.9, owing to an exit temperature of 105 °C and a minimal pressure drop of 5.16 kPa. The high-temperature disinfected air leaving the storage tank (ST-2) further cools in an air cooler. Besides, the system's energy efficiency is noted at 37.4 % and 91.1 % during daytime and nighttime operations, respectively.