Session: 06-01-01 Computational Mechanics and Design Applications

Paper Number: 80182

80182 - Computational Study on the Transmission of COVID-19 Virus Inside a Ship 

The shipping industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need to research the best technical solutions to ensure the COVID-safety of crew and passengers at sea.

During ship operations, winds can enter a ship and induce potential airborne transmission of virus particles. The compact space inside a ship implies a high risk of COVID outbreak. To investigate this problem, the present work developed a model combining computational fluid dynamic (CFD) and Lagrangian particles, in which, CFD is used to simulate the airflow and the transmission of virus particles is tracked by the Lagrangian approach.

This paper starts by introducing the theories and practicalities of the CFD-Lagrangian model, followed by validating the model against experimental measurements of velocity field and particle distribution inside a standard room. Subsequently, the standard room geometry is replaced by the internal geometry of a crew boat, and analyses were presented on the virus distribution with respect to different scenarios, e.g. a passenger coughing or speaking. The results are used to develop corresponding solutions to minimise virus transmission.

Overall, this work is expected to provide indications on virus-hazardous areas for ships, and further inform guidelines on hygienic and reconfiguring means to counter COVID-19 and potentially the spread of similar viruses in the future.

Presenting Author: Luofeng Huang University College London

Authors:

Luofeng Huang University College London
Seogeng Riyadi Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology
I Ketut Aria Pria Utama Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology
Giles Thomas University College London