A numerical set-up for the simulation of infection probability from SARS- CoV-2 in public transport vehicles

Abstract

In this work, a numerical framework aimed at simulating the transport of contaminants and infectious agents within a closed domain is presented. The method employs mature CFD algorithms to calculate air fields with reasonable computational costs. The main objective is to give fast response to stakeholders about air quality indicators in the design phase of HVAC systems. A discussion regarding the size and characteristics of different contaminants is proposed, highlighting the most appropriate methods and coefficients needed to simulate their transport. Next, the methodology employed to evaluate the risk of infection is presented. The numerical set-up, based on the buoyantBoussinesqPimpleFoam solver in OpenFOAM, was tuned by simulating the well-known case of the heated floor cavity, providing accurate results. Hence, the case study of a transport vehicle of generic shape is presented, in order to show possible results in terms of air-age distribution, PM2.5 distribution, and global infection risk matrix.