Gurubalan Annadurai
Department of Energy Science and Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India – 400076
Corresponding Author: guru.a@iitb.ac.in
Cite this article
Highlights
- Impact of energy recovery ventilators (ERV) on the probability of infection in a multi-room office building is studied
- ERV slightly increases the probability of infection only in the connected rooms (rooms without infection source)
- Bypassing ERV increases the probability of infection in both source and connected rooms
Abstract
Energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) are commonly used in HVAC systems to reduce energy consumption. ERVs transfer the energy from the exhaust air and use it to precondition the incoming outdoor ventilation air. According to literature evidence of non-biological contaminant transfer, it is suspected that the bioaerosols (with pathogen) may be transferred from exhaust to ventilation air during energy transfer in ERVs. This may lead to disease transmission indoors. Consequently, without any experimental/field evidence, ERVs are often bypassed in the HVAC systems during pandemic operations. To address this research gap, this study numerically analyzes the effect of ERVs on indoor airborne disease transmission in a multi-room office building. It is identified that the ERV slightly increases the infection risk only in the connected rooms (rooms without the source of infection), whereas bypassing ERV increases the infection risk in both source and connected rooms.
Keywords
Energy Recovery Ventilator, HVAC System, Pandemic Ventilation, Probability of Infection
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Bishal Thapa
Fred Sherman
Sumedha Malaviya
Satish Kumar
The three main global energy concerns of providing access to modern energy, enhancing the security of the energy supply, and minimising the impact of energy systems on the climate have an impact on both national and international energy governance. To develop solutions that address the many facets of these difficulties, however, a variety of actors and stakeholders must be included due to the complexity of the energy challenges.
Cities are responsible for more than 70% of the world’s energy consumption and 40% to 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions. Managing increasing urbanisation is a challenge, and nations must deal with the effects it will have on the environment in terms of energy and climate.
Our transition to a future with lower carbon emissions depends heavily on buildings. They are our places of residence, rest, and employment; they also account for around one-third of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 40% of the world’s energy usage.