Han, Xiaofei and Mahyuddin, Norhayati and Qin, Mingyuan and Wang, Puyi and Zhang, Changchang and Wei, Yixuan and Pan, Song (2025) Effect of different mechanical fans on virus particle transport: A review. Buildings, 15 (3). ISSN 2075-5309, DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15030303.
Full text not available from this repository.Abstract
In recent years, repeated outbreaks of airborne viruses have normalized human coexistence with these viruses. The complex turbulence and vortices generated by different fan types and operation modes affect virus removal effectiveness. This paper reviews the potential impact and actual effectiveness of different fans in mitigating indoor virus transmission, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Downward rotating ceiling fans can rapidly dilute virus concentration (21-87%) in the breathing zone due to jet cores, with efficiency depending on rotational speed and particle diameter. However, the reprocessing problems of large particles being deposited on surfaces, and small particles settling and rebounding into the air remain unresolved. Upward-rotating ceiling fans do not contribute to indoor virus removal. Exhaust fans generate a negative-pressure environment, which helps expel viruses quickly. But improper vortex zones can increase virus retention time 16-40 times. Air-apply fans effectively dilute and transport viruses only when delivering airflow exceeding 0.5 m/s directly into the breathing zone. Additionally, combined fan strategies remain underexplored, despite potential benefits. This review underscores the need for standardized definitions of particle removal effectiveness and calls for further research on how climatic conditions and thermal comfort influence fan-based interventions.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Funders: | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), International Science and Technology Cooperation Center in Hebei Province [Grant No: 20594501D; 51578011] |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | Airborne transmission; Airflow patterns; Ceiling fan; Exhaust fan; Air-apply fan |
| Subjects: | T Technology > TH Building construction |
| Divisions: | Faculty of Built Environment |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim |
| Date Deposited: | 02 Oct 2025 08:20 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Oct 2025 08:20 |
| URI: | http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/47933 |
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