Track: COVID-19 Analytics Competition

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a significant impact on the global economy and significantly slowed down human activity. Paraguay (PY), a small developing South-American country, was not an exception. Since this pandemic reached this country, the local government implemented a series of lockdown and restrictive measures since early 2020. In order to contain the spread of this virus, school activities such as course lectures, especially laboratory practices, were placed on hold indefinitely. As a result of restrictive access to online learning in Paraguay, the faculty of dentistry requests the faculty of engineering (FIUNA) to design a safe ventilation system to allow resuming laboratory practices in the faculty of dentistry. This led to the urgent need to reopen universities, schools, and other academic institutions to resume teaching activities.

Computational Fluid Mechanics was utilized to validate a localized air exhaust system design. This work helped to support the use of this engineering tool as part of the engineering design procedure. Results showed that a localized airflow of 150 CFM near the patient’s head combined with a transparent wall and personal protective equipment helped avoid virus spreading. Different exhaust configurations were taken into consideration. In addition, air flow lines and velocity profiles surrounding the dental chair are shown in this work. It is essential to remark here that this worked to help the school administration to reopen laboratory activities. This helped to confidently decide on resuming practices and, at the same time, keeping students and faculties safe.

Keywords
Airborne Transmission, CFD, Dental Chair, Ventilation, Air Exhaust System