Development of respirator design for children using bamboo-based activated carbon filter and bipolar ionization

This paper proposes a respirator for children integrated with bamboo-based activated carbon filters and bipolar ionization as the sterilizer to increase protection from Covid-19 and other pathogens. The respirator, named as Bion-Kids, was designed based on the children's head-and-face anthropometry from direct measurement. The duration of sterilization process is controlled based on the activities, which are classified using the Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) model with dataset acquired from the accelerometer. Manufacturing process of the main body prototype comprises heat bending and 3D printing. The bamboo-based activated carbon filter was synthesized by applying heat and pressure at the strewed activated carbon particles on the N95 filter. Observation using scanning electron microscope showed the ability of the bamboo-based activated carbon filter to adsorb and trap the particles. Result of the qualitative fit test and questionnaire survey indicated that Bion-Kids is suitable and comfortable for the children's face. The result of filtration and bipolar ionization sterilization system analysis have also met the ISO14698 standard by not showing any infiltration of microorganisms on the blood agar media. This device may become an early-stage personal protective equipment against the transmission of Covid-19 and other pathogens. © 2022 THE AUTHORS

Air-Flow Simulation in Child Respirator for Covid-19 Personal Protection Equipment Using Bamboo-Based Activated Carbon Filter

The use of personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic may inhibit the social interaction and learning process of children. A child respirator that is suitable for children's growth and development has been developed. Its designing process was done by computer-aided design and validated by computational fluid dynamics simulation. The device consists of inhale and exhale system, face cover, and headband. Various air filter is embedded in the inhale system, such as prefilter, HEPA filter, and bamboo-based activated carbon filter. Meanwhile, the exhale system contains HEPA filter only. Preliminary air-flow simulation in various breathing scenarios has been conducted with a result of velocity range from 0.067 m/s up to 1.190 m/s inside the respirator with a 0.47 Pa pressure difference. Flow trajectories analysis shows that the exhaled air is successfully directed to the exhale and inhale system and thus filtration can occur rapidly. These analyses also indicate that the device's average airflow velocity meets the standard requirements for child breathing apparatus. Child respirators using the bamboo-based activated carbon filter can be a great solution in implementing health protocols for children during the Covid-19 pandemic © 2022,Journal of Advanced Research in Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Sciences.All Rights Reserved