A novel reusable anti-COVID-19 transparent face respirator with optimized airflow
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RESEARCH ARTICLE
A novel reusable anti-COVID-19 transparent face respirator with optimized airflow Hussain Alenezi1,2 · Muhammet Emin Cam1,3 · Mohan Edirisinghe1 Received: 31 August 2020 / Accepted: 7 September 2020 © The Author(s) 2020
Abstract This novel face mask is designed to be a reusable respirator with a small and highly efficient disposable fabric filter. Respirator material requirements are reduced by 75% compared to traditional designs and allow repeated cleaning or sterilization. The probability of virus particle inhalation is reduced using novel air filtration pathways, through square-waveform design to increase filter airflow. Air enters the mask from right and left side filters, while the area in front of the mouth is isolated. Clear epoxy is used for a transparent frame, allowing lip-reading, and mask edges contain a silicone seal preventing bypass of the filters. The mask is manufactured using silicone molds, eliminating electricity requirements making it economical and viable in developing countries. Computational fluid dynamics numerical studies and Fluent ANSYS software were used to simulate airflow through the filter to optimize filter air path geometry and validate mask design with realistic human requirements. The breathing cycle was represented as a transient function, and N95 filter specifications were selected as a porous medium. The novel design achieved 1.2 × 10−3 kg s−1 , 20% higher than human requirements, with air streamlines velocity indicating local high speed, forcing and trapping virus particles against filter walls through centrifugal forces. Keywords COVID-19 · Mask · Prototype · Flow · Pressure · Temperature
Introduction A significant threat to people’s lives lies in the spread of the coronavirus (entitled the COVID-19 pandemic) [1, 2]. Worldwide, 500,000 deaths have taken place, while COVID19 confirmed cases are over 11 million according to the John Hopkins University Map and Dashboard [3]. COVID-19 has caused the demand for medical respirators to increase dramatically over the past 6 months, by at least sixfold [4–6]. World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the high demand compared to the usual trades volume for purchasing respirators led to a severe shortage in available quantity, which caused a price surge leaving frontline workers and patients in danger. This new pandemic calls for innovative
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Mohan Edirisinghe [email protected]
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE, UK
2
Department of Manufacturing Engineering, College of Technological Studies, PAAET, 13092 Kuwait City, Kuwait
3
Center for Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Application and Research, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
and effective solutions requiring strong cooperation between medical, engineering science and industry experts [7–9]. The increased needs for personal protective equipment are based on mainly face masks, which play a crucial role in reducing virus transmission from one person to another as it is always d
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