CFD Modeling of Room Air Flow Effects on Inactivation of Aerosol SARS-CoV-2 by an Upper Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) System

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) inactivates viral aerosols in indoor environments. Upper room UVGI systems use wall or ceiling mounted fixtures to create a disinfection zone above the occupied zone. The performance of upper room UVGI systems varies with indoor airflow induced by mechanical ventilation and thermal plumes from occupants, which carries contaminated air into the disinfection zone where viral aerosols are partially inactivated before circulating back into the breathing zone.