Using computer modeling to test virus mitigation strategies

A global pandemic creates uncertainty, particularly around the safety of an environment. Indoor spaces are especially challenging, and it is not always clear how their ventilation flow dynamics affect virus transmission rates.

Auvinen et al. employed a computer simulation to explore how virus transmission works in these indoor spaces over time and tested multiple mitigation strategies to lower infection risks.

“We want to understand how this dispersion occurs within indoor spaces, where the ventilation drives the flow,” said author Mikko Auvinen. “We decided to make a flow model to capture even the weakest turbulent swirls.”

The team developed their model using the large eddy simulation method, which provides accurate results of slow-moving air currents. After the accuracy of the simulation was validated by experimental measurements, the researchers modeled virus transmission inside a typical restaurant environment, testing the effects of typical preventative measures like space dividers and air purifiers.

The results showed dividers do more harm than good, as they simply create more partitioned spaces for the accumulation of small particles. Counterintuitively, one of the simplest strategies is to thoroughly circulate the air, as this eliminates pockets where virus particles can build up to dangerous levels. The research confirmed the effectiveness of proper ventilation and air purification.

The researchers are now planning to continue their exploration of strategies to protect indoor spaces by examining a wider range of situations and methods.

“For instance, do air purifiers have to be always one hundred percent efficient in removing pathogens or would it be better to utilize a simple construction that’s fifty percent efficient, but it mixes the space better and consumes less energy?” said Auvinen.

Source: “High-resolution large-eddy simulation of indoor turbulence and its effect on airborne transmission of respiratory pathogens; model validation and infection probability analysis,” by Mikko J. S. Auvinen, Joel Kuula, Tiia Grönholm, Matthias Sühring, and Antti Hellsten, Physics of Fluids (2022). The article can be accessed at https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0076495 .

This paper is part of the Flow and the Virus Collection, learn more here .