Upper-Room Germicidal Ultraviolet (UR-GUV) Application in High-Ceiling Indoor Settings for Disinfection of Airborne Viruses

ABSTRACT

This study investigated upper-room germicidal ultraviolet (UR-GUV) light application in a music rehearsal room with a high ceiling (7.5 m). The focus was on the influences of the elevation and height of UV zone on disinfection of airborne viruses. This study assumed a uniform UV fluence rate of 0.2 W/m2 in the UV irradiation zone. According to the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) results, average viral concentrations (Ca), fraction remaining (FR), and equivalent air exchange rate (λe) attributed to GUV, have power relationships with UV zone height. Ca and FR decreased with UV zone height, while λe did the opposite. UV zone elevation showed little influence on UR-GUV performance, indicating well-mixed air in the rehearsal room. High ceiling makes it possible to achieve adequate UV dose by increasing both UV zone height and UV light intensity. Using open fixtures improved energy efficiency and reduced operational costs of the UR-GUV system. © 2022 17th International Conference on Indoor Air Quality and Climate, INDOOR AIR 2022. All rights reserved.