{"id":2625,"date":"2022-01-06T16:47:39","date_gmt":"2022-01-06T16:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/?page_id=2625"},"modified":"2025-05-28T16:11:41","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T15:11:41","slug":"droplet-modelling-understanding-the-physics-of-dispersal","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/research-themes\/approaches-to-evaluate-environmental-transmission-mechanisms-and-controls\/droplet-modelling-understanding-the-physics-of-dispersal\/","title":{"rendered":"Droplet modelling: understanding the physics of dispersal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_module=&#8221;322&#8243;][et_pb_fullwidth_menu global_parent=&#8221;322&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.106&#8243; menu_id=&#8221;7&#8243; submenu_direction=&#8221;downwards&#8221; fullwidth_menu=&#8221;off&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; module_class=&#8221;main-navigation&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; module_class=&#8221;header-image-section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.74&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px|&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;padding-top:0px&#8221; transparent_background=&#8221;off&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][et_pb_row custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;header-image&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_image admin_label=&#8221;Banner Image&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/276\/2022\/01\/droplet-dispersal.jpg&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; border_color_all=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;0px|||&#8221; animation_direction=&#8221;left&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; \/][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.74&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; transparent_background=&#8221;off&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][et_pb_row custom_padding=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||0px|&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; module_class=&#8221;breadcrumbs-row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Breadcrumbs &#8211; do not delete&#8221; module_class=&#8221;breadcrumbs&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.10.1&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;left&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;border-bottom: 1px solid #ececed;&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221;]<\/p>\n<span><span><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/\">PROTECT COVID-19 National Core Study<\/a><\/span><\/span>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; use_custom_gutter=&#8221;on&#8221; gutter_width=&#8221;2&#8243; specialty=&#8221;on&#8221; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.74&#8243; transparent_background=&#8221;off&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; next_background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_sidebar admin_label=&#8221;Left Nav Sidebar&#8221; area=&#8221;et_pb_widget_area_1&#8243; show_border=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;left-nav-menu&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.12.1&#8243; \/][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; specialty_columns=&#8221;2&#8243;][et_pb_row_inner admin_label=&#8221;Row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.47&#8243;][et_pb_column_inner type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; saved_specialty_column_type=&#8221;2_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Text: Droplet modelling&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<h1>Droplet modelling: understanding the physics of dispersal<\/h1>\n<p class=\"subHeading\">This project uses computer modelling to develop a better understanding of the physics of droplet and aerosol behaviour that are key to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.<\/p>\n<p>Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, the project team are simulating the close-range indoor behaviour of aerosols and droplets emitted by talking and coughing, while also assessing the effect of control measures such as screens and ventilation. These models can be used to predict virus transmission and deposition patterns at various distances from someone either coughing or talking in a range of representative scenarios.<\/p>\n<p>These CFD models will help us understand the effects of environmental factors and control measures on the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Examples of factors that will be assessed include different working environments, temperature and humidity (i.e. the risk of transmission in winter vs. summer). Control measures designed to reduce transmission, including physical distancing of people and separation screens, will also be assessed.<\/p>\n<p>This analysis will provide insights about the factors that most affect transmission risk and the most effective control measures to reduce this risk.<\/p>\n<p>The research questions the project aims to address include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>What are the important fluid dynamics processes that affect the transport and dispersion of droplets and aerosols that are potentially carrying SARS-CoV-2?<\/li>\n<li>How effective are plastic screens in reducing the risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 if someone with the virus is coughing or talking?<\/li>\n<li>What effect does the ambient temperature and humidity have on the distance travelled by different size particles?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>To address the questions, a detailed CFD model will be developed that takes into account the key physics of the transport and dispersion of droplets emitted when a person is talking or coughing. The model will represent the behaviour of the different size particles as they evaporate, travel through the air and are affected by environmental conditions such as ambient humidity and ventilation. The CFD model will be validated against experimental data for a person coughing, breathing and singing in a room.<\/p>\n<h2>Project team<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Project lead:<\/strong> Dr Matthew Ivings, Health and Safety Executive<\/p>\n<p><strong>Other partners:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Defence Science and Technology Laboratory<\/li>\n<li>University of Leeds<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;][et_pb_accordion_item _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; title=&#8221;Study Documents including publications&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2023\/07\/21\/understanding-sars-cov-2-transmission-computational-fluid-dynamics-modelling-of-respiratory-particles\/\">Understanding SARS-CoV-2 transmission: Computational fluid dynamics modelling of respiratory particles<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2023\/06\/28\/the-dynamics-of-sars-cov-2-infectivity-with-changes-in-aerosol-microenvironment\/\">The dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity with changes in aerosol microenvironment<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2023\/03\/13\/performance-measurement-of-capture-mask-including-characterisation-of-full-operating-performance\/\">Performance measurement of capture mask, including characterisation of full operating performance<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2023\/01\/25\/sars-cov-2-detected-on-exhaled-breath-by-facemask-sampling-predicts-how-likely-someone-is-to-transmit-to-their-household-better-than-upper-respiratory-tract-swabs\/\">SARS-CoV-2 detected on exhaled breath by facemask sampling predicts how likely someone is to transmit to their household better than upper respiratory tract swabs<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2022\/12\/22\/room-based-assessment-of-mobile-air-cleaning-devices-using-a-bioaerosol-challenge\/\">Room-Based Assessment of Mobile Air Cleaning Devices Using a Bioaerosol Challenge<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2022\/02\/22\/modeling-and-experimental-study-of-dispersion-and-deposition-of-respiratory-emissions-with-implications-for-disease-transmission\/\">Modeling and experimental study of dispersion and deposition of respiratory emissions with implications for disease transmission<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/2021\/12\/01\/visualising-sars-cov-2-transmission-routes-and-mitigations\/\">Visualising SARS-CoV-2 transmission routes and mitigations<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Spacing only&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; \/][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section bb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.11.1&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#1d1d1d&#8221; prev_background_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; global_module=&#8221;1519&#8243;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;1519&#8243; parallax_method_1=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_2=&#8221;off&#8221; parallax_method_3=&#8221;off&#8221; module_id=&#8221;footer-row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.0.89&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Address Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;1519&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"color: #fff !important;font-size: 1.3em;font-weight: 600\">Contact Us<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Address&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;1519&#8243; module_id=&#8221;address&#8221; module_class=&#8221;contact-us&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; background_layout=&#8221;dark&#8221; use_border_color=&#8221;off&#8221; border_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; border_style=&#8221;solid&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Email:\u00a0<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><a href=\"mailto:PROTECT@hse.gov.uk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">PROTECT@hse.gov.uk<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Health &amp; Safety Executive \u2013 Science Division<br \/>Harpur Hill<br \/>Buxton<br \/>SK17 9JN<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243;][et_pb_text admin_label=&#8221;Connect Title&#8221; global_parent=&#8221;1519&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.17.6&#8243; text_text_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; 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Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) models, the project team are simulating the close-range indoor behaviour of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":0,"parent":1591,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2625","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2625"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2625\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4222,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2625\/revisions\/4222"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.manchester.ac.uk\/covid19-national-project\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}