Measurement of Influenza Virus in Air Using a High-Enrichment, High-Flow Electrostatic Precipitator
JAEGIL LEE, Chanhwi Park, Jaesung Jang, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, Korea
Abstract Number: 663
Working Group: Bioaerosols
Abstract
Since the 21st century, with the emergence of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) and COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019), the incidence and spread of novel viral diseases transmitted through the air have been increasing in frequency. Consequently, there is a growing need for rapid detection technologies for airborne viruses to swiftly block the transmission of airborne viral diseases, prompting research into various collection devices. Among them, electrostatic precipitators are advantageous due to their high collection efficiency and high enrichment ratio, which allow for the detection of airborne viruses at low concentrations, regardless of particle size. However, they have the disadvantage of low collection flow rates, making them difficult to use in large areas.
This study introduces a particle concentration device (HEPC) using the electrostatic precipitation method, equipped with high concentration and collection flow rate to measure airborne viruses. To enhance collection efficiency at high flow rates, wire electrodes were installed above the collection electrode to strengthen the electric field intensity. As a result, more than 90% of influenza virus particles could be collected through a narrow electrode at 20 LPM. In fact, influenza viruses at inlet concentrations (104–105 gene copies/m3), measured in the air of spaces with flu patients, were detected using 10-min sampling of HEPC and RT-qPCR.