TY - JOUR
T1 - The efficacy of plant-based ionizers in removing aerosol for COVID-19 mitigation
AU - Suwardi, Ady
AU - Ooi, Chin Chun
AU - Daniel, Dan
AU - Tan, Chee Kiang Ivan
AU - Li, Hongying
AU - Liang, Ou Yang Zhong
AU - Tang, Yuanting Karen
AU - Chee, Jing Yee
AU - Sadovoy, Anton
AU - Jiang, Shu Ye
AU - Ramachandran, Srinivasan
AU - Ye, Enyi
AU - Kang, Chang Wei
AU - Cheong, Wun Chet Davy
AU - Lim, Keng Hui
AU - Loh, Xian Jun
N1 - Generated from Scopus record by KAUST IRTS on 2023-02-14
PY - 2021/2/11
Y1 - 2021/2/11
N2 - Small-sized droplets/aerosol transmission is one of the factors responsible for the spread of COVID-19, in addition to large droplets and surface contamination (fomites). While large droplets and surface contamination can be relatively easier to deal with (i.e., using mask and proper hygiene measures), aerosol presents a different challenge due to their ability to remain airborne for a long time. This calls for mitigation solutions that can rapidly eliminate the airborne aerosol. Pre-COVID-19, air ionizers have been touted as effective tools to eliminate small particulates. In this work, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel plant-based ionizer in eliminating aerosol. It was found that factors such as the ion concentration, humidity, and ventilation can drastically affect the efficacy of aerosol removal. The aerosol removal rate was quantified in terms of ACH (air changes per hour) and CADR- (clean air delivery rate-) equivalent unit, with ACH as high as 12 and CADR as high as 141 ft3/minute being achieved by a plant-based ionizer in a small isolated room. This work provides an important and timely guidance on the effective deployment of ionizers in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 spread via airborne aerosol, especially in a poorly-ventilated environment.
AB - Small-sized droplets/aerosol transmission is one of the factors responsible for the spread of COVID-19, in addition to large droplets and surface contamination (fomites). While large droplets and surface contamination can be relatively easier to deal with (i.e., using mask and proper hygiene measures), aerosol presents a different challenge due to their ability to remain airborne for a long time. This calls for mitigation solutions that can rapidly eliminate the airborne aerosol. Pre-COVID-19, air ionizers have been touted as effective tools to eliminate small particulates. In this work, we sought to evaluate the efficacy of a novel plant-based ionizer in eliminating aerosol. It was found that factors such as the ion concentration, humidity, and ventilation can drastically affect the efficacy of aerosol removal. The aerosol removal rate was quantified in terms of ACH (air changes per hour) and CADR- (clean air delivery rate-) equivalent unit, with ACH as high as 12 and CADR as high as 141 ft3/minute being achieved by a plant-based ionizer in a small isolated room. This work provides an important and timely guidance on the effective deployment of ionizers in minimizing the risk of COVID-19 spread via airborne aerosol, especially in a poorly-ventilated environment.
UR - https://spj.science.org/doi/10.34133/2021/2173642
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85102571189&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.34133/2021/2173642
DO - 10.34133/2021/2173642
M3 - Article
SN - 2639-5274
VL - 2021
JO - Research
JF - Research
ER -