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A Simple Electrostatic Precipitator for Trapping Virus Particles Spread via Droplet Transmission.

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to develop a simple electrostatic apparatus to precipitate virus particles spread via droplet transmission, which is especially significant in the context of the recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The bacteriophage φ6 of Pseudomonas syringae was used as a model of the COVID-19 virus because of its similar structure and safety in experiments. The apparatus consisted of a spiked, perforated stainless plate (S-PSP) linked to a direct-current voltage generator to supply negative charge to the spike tips and a vessel with water (G-water) linked to a ground line. The S-PSP and G-water surface were paralleled at a definite interval. Negative charge supplied to the spike tips positively polarised the G-water by electrostatic induction to form an electric field between them in which ionic wind and negative ions were generated. Bacteriophage-containing water was atomised with a nebuliser and introduced into the electric field. The mist particles were ionised by the negative ions and attracted to the opposite pole (G-water). This apparatus demonstrated a prominent ability to capture phage-containing mist particles of the same sizes as respiratory droplets and aerosols regardless of the phage concentration of the mist particles. The trapped phages were successfully sterilised using ozone bubbling. Thus, the present study provides an effective system for eliminating droplet transmission of viral pathogens from public spaces.

SUBMITTER: Kakutani K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8124561 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:In this study, we investigated the performance of an electrostatic precipitator (ESP) operating at high flow rates (i.e., 50-100 lpm) as a fine particulate matter (PM2.5) collector for toxicological studies. The ESP optimum configuration (i.e., flow rate of 75 lpm and applied voltage of +12 kV) was determined based on maximum particle collection efficiencies and minimum ozone emissions associated with the instrument using different laboratory-generated aerosols. This configuration resulted in particle collection efficiencies above 80% for almost all particles in the size range of 0.015-2.5 μm while the ozone concentration was 17 ppb. The ESP was then deployed to our sampling site in central Los Angeles to evaluate its performance using ambient particles under the optimum configuration. Chemical composition and oxidative potential of PM2.5 samples collected on the foils placed inside the ESP tube were compared with those collected concurrently on filters and aerosol slurries using the versatile aerosol concentration enrichment system (VACES) operating in parallel. Our results demonstrated that the ESP was more efficient in preserving labile inorganic ions and total organic carbon (TOC) compared to filters. PM samples collected on ESP substrates also showed higher intrinsic oxidative potential compared to the filters, which might be the result of better preservation of redox active semi-volatile organic compounds on the ESP substrates. However, the TOC concentrations and intrinsic oxidative potential of PM samples collected on ESP substrates were somewhat lower than the aerosol slurries collected by the VACES, probably due to deficiency of water-insoluble compounds in extracted PM samples from ESP substrates. In conclusion, while particle collection for toxicological purposes by the ESP is somewhat inferior to a direct aerosol-into-liquid collection, the ESP performs equally well, if not better, than conventional filter samplers and can be utilized as a simple and adequately efficient PM collector for toxicological studies.

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A Simple Electrostatic Precipitator for Trapping Virus Particles Spread via Droplet Transmission.

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