Skip to main content
NCBI home page
Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection logoLink to Elsevier - PMC COVID-19 Collection
. 2020 Dec 4;51:313–322. doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2020.11.034

Design of air circuit disinfection against COVID-19 in the conditions of airliners

Pavol Pecho a, Iveta Škvareková a, Viliam Ažaltovič a, Michal Hrúz a
PMCID: PMC7833113

Abstract

The current full-range problem posed by the COVID-19 virus is being fought in every area, from health care, through economics, to technology. Designers in various fields are known for technological measures to reduce the restrictions resulting from measures against the spread of the virus. Aviation has suffered from the grounding of aircraft and the cessation of air traffic perhaps the most, so there is an effort to restart the operation of aircraft. The present article deals with the design of the implementation of air disinfection in the cockpit, to ensure the maximum possible safety during flight. During the research, the authors focused on the use of disinfection using ultraviolet radiation and its possibility of incorporation into the ventilation system of aircraft. The research results represent specific proposals and design of the installation for the aircraft Airbus A320 and represent specific proposals for general installation in aviation. Such a system could in the future increase the safety of flying due to the spread of viruses and bacteria in the cockpit of the aircraft and allow the resumption of air traffic.

Keywords: COVID-19, Disinfection, Air Condition, Aircraft, UV light, HEPA filter

References

  1. Aerospace Examples And Applications, 2020. Viewed 5 July 2020 [online: https://engys.com/applications/aerospace]
  2. Airborne Illness Risk Reduction from Air Filter System on Aircraft, 2020, viewed 5 July 2020 [online: https://asianjourneys.com.sg/18-Feb-2020/airborne-illness-risk-reduction-from-air-filter-system-on-aircraft]
  3. Aircraft air generation and distribution A340-600, 2016, viewed 5 July 2020 [online: http://ase-resetsg.blogspot.com/2016/03/aircraft-air-generation-and.html]
  4. Anderson, B., 2020. HEPA filter & UVC? Or a choice of one or the other?, viewed 1 June 2020 [online: http://www.puravent.co.uk/blog/hepa-filter-uvc/]
  5. Arguelles, P., 2020. Estimating UV-C Sterilization Dosage for COVID-19 Pandemic Mitigation Efforts. Unpublished. 10.13140/RG.2.2.12837.65761 [DOI]
  6. Aviation recovery – Importance of a coordinated approach, 2020, viewed 10 June 2020 [online: https://www.eurocontrol.int/sites/default/files/2020-04/eurocontrol-aviation-recovery-factsheet-27042020.pdf]
  7. Bar-On, Y. M., Flamholz, A., Phillips, R., & Milo, R., 2020. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) by the numbers. ELife, 9. 10.7554/elife.57309 [online: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7224694/] [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed]
  8. Brady, Ch., 1999. Air Conditioning, viewed: 5 July 2020, [online: http://www.b737.org.uk/airconditioning.htm#Recirculation_Fan_(3-900)]
  9. Bugaj M. Aircraft maintenance - New trends in general aviation. Promet - Traffic – Traffico. 2005;17(4):231–234. [Google Scholar]
  10. Bugaj M., Urminský T., Rostáš J., Pecho P. Aircraft maintenance reserves – new approach to optimization. Transportation Research Procedia. 2019;43:31–40. doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2019.12.016. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  11. EPA, 2020. Health Effects of Ozone Pollution, viewed 25 May 2020 [online: https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/health-effects-ozone-pollution]
  12. Galieriková, A., Materna, M., Sosedová, J., 2018. Analysis of risks in aviation. Transport Means - Proceedings of the International Conference, 2018-October, 1427-1431.
  13. IATA, 2018. Cabin air quality – Risk of communicable diseases transmission, 2020, viewed 5 July 2020 [online: https://www.iata.org/contentassets/f1163430bba94512a583eb6d6b24aa56/cabin-air-quality.pdf]
  14. Irving D. A comparison study of the degradative effects and safety implications of UVC and 405 nm germicidal light sources for endoscope storage. Polymer Degradation and Stability. 2016;Volume 133:249–254. doi: 10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.09.006. ISSN 0141-3910, [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  15. Kandera B., Škultéty F., Mesárošová K. Consequences of flight crew fatigue on the safety of civil aviation. Transportation Research Procedia. 2019;43:278–289. doi: 10.1016/j.trpro.2019.12.043. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  16. Kowalski W.J. Mathematical Modeling of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Air Disinfection. Quantitative Microbiology. 2002;2:249–270. [online: https://www.berriman-usa.com/pdf_brochures/math_modeling_of_uvgi_for_air_disinfection.pdf] [Google Scholar]
  17. Lim S., Blatchley E.R. UV disinfection system for cabin air. Advances in Space Research. 2009;44(8):942–948. doi: 10.1016/j.asr.2009.06.001. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  18. Matas M., Novak A. Models of processes as components of air passenger flow model. Komunikacie. 2008;Volume 10(Issue 2):50–54. [Google Scholar]
  19. Michaelis S., Loraine T. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer-Verlag; 2005. Aircraft Cabin Air Filtration and Related Technologies:Requirements, Present Practice and Prospects; pp. 267–289. [DOI] [Google Scholar]
  20. More Electric Aircraft: How does electricity work on a plane?, 2020, viewed 10 June 2020 [online: https://www.safran-electrical-power.com/media/20151109_more-electric-aircraft-how-does-electricity-work-plane?fbclid=IwAR0LTp9FFIX4Cg9R_jE7ytGUbsrn_YPW6flWMQyg3ESNeilto-59jrOvRcs]
  21. Win T.T. Generator Control System Used in Aircraft Power Supply; International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP) 2018;8(8) doi: 10.29322/IJSRP.8.8.2018.p8065. (ISSN: 2250-3153), DOI: [DOI] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Transportation Research Procedia are provided here courtesy of Elsevier

RESOURCES