Numerical and experimental analyses for the improvement of surface instant decontamination technology through biocidal agent dispersion: Potential of application during pandemic

The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects is an important form of transmissibility. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the performance of a disinfection chamber designed for instantaneous dispersion of the biocidal agent solution, in order to characterize a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	PloS one Vol. 16; no. 5; p. e0251817
Main Authors:	Freitas Neves, Paulo Roberto, Oliveira, Turan Dias, Magalhães, Tarcísio Faustino, Dos Reis, Paulo Roberto Santana, Tofaneli, Luzia Aparecida, Bandeira Santos, Alex Álisson, Machado, Bruna Aparecida Souza, Oliveira, Fabricia Oliveira, da Silva Andrade, Leone Peter Correia, Badaró, Roberto, Brêda Mascarenhas, Luis Alberto
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Public Library of Science 19-05-2021 Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:	Air pollution Analysis Biocides Biology and life sciences Computer applications Computer programs Coronaviruses COVID-19 COVID-19 - epidemiology COVID-19 - metabolism COVID-19 - transmission COVID-19 - virology COVID-19 vaccines Data analysis Decontamination Decontamination - instrumentation Decontamination - methods Disease transmission Disinfectants - analysis Disinfection Disinfection - instrumentation Disinfection - methods Disinfection and disinfectants Dispersion Drafting software Engineering and Technology Evaluation Fluid dynamics Health services Hospitals Humans Hydrodynamics Immunization Industrial applications Infections Innovations Learning Medical personnel Medical supplies Medicine and Health Sciences Methodology Methods Microorganisms Models, Theoretical National service New technology Pandemics Personal protective equipment Physical Sciences Protective equipment Quarantine Respiratory diseases SARS-CoV-2 - drug effects SARS-CoV-2 - isolation & purification Secretions Severe acute respiratory syndrome Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Software Technology Viral diseases Viruses Visualization Brazil
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Summary:	The transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects is an important form of transmissibility. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the performance of a disinfection chamber designed for instantaneous dispersion of the biocidal agent solution, in order to characterize a new device that can be used to protect individuals by reducing the transmissibility of the disease through contaminated surfaces. We proposed the necessary adjustments in the configuration to improve the dispersion on surfaces and the effectiveness of the developed equipment. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations of the present technology with a chamber having six nebulizer nozzles were performed and validated through qualitative and quantitative comparisons, and experimental tests were conducted using the method Water-Sensitive Paper (WSP), with an exposure to the biocidal agent for 10 and 30 s. After evaluation, a new passage procedure for the chamber with six nozzles and a new configuration of the disinfection chamber were proposed. In the chamber with six nozzles, a deficiency was identified in its central region, where the suspended droplet concentration was close to zero. However, with the new passage procedure, there was a significant increase in wettability of the surface. With the proposition of the chamber with 12 nozzles, the suspended droplet concentration in different regions increased, with an average increase of 266%. The experimental results of the new configuration proved that there was an increase in wettability at all times of exposure, and it was more significant for an exposure of 30 s. Additionally, even in different passage procedures, there were no significant differences in the results for an exposure of 10 s, thereby showing the effectiveness of the new configuration or improved spraying and wettability by the biocidal agent, as well as in minimizing the impact caused by human factor in the performance of the disinfection technology.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0251817