A virucidal face mask based on the reverse-flow reactor concept for thermal inactivation of SARS-CoV-2
Name
2010.11336.pdf
Description
Submitted version
Size
1.6 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
c8f6ab8d82b8b4a37644df04e56b0c96
Author(s)
Faucher, Joseph
Lundberg, Daniel James
Liang, Xinyao Anna
Jin, Xiaojia Cindy
Phillips, Rosalie
Parviz, Dorsa
Buongiorno, Jacopo
Strano, Michael S.
Date Issued
February 2021
Journal
AIChE Journal
Publisher
Wiley
Citation
Faucher, Samuel et al. “A virucidal face mask based on the reverse-flow reactor concept for thermal inactivation of SARS-CoV-2.” AIChE Journal (February 2021): e17250 © 2021 The Author(s)
Version
Original manuscript
Abstract
While facial coverings reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by viral filtration, masks capable of viral inactivation by heating can provide a complementary method to limit transmission. Inspired by reverse-flow chemical reactors, we introduce a new virucidal face mask concept driven by the oscillatory flow of human breath. The governing heat and mass transport equations are solved to evaluate virus and CO2 transport. Given limits imposed by the kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 thermal inactivation, human breath, safety, and comfort, heated masks may inactivate SARS-CoV-2 to medical-grade sterility. We detail one design, with a volume of 300 ml at 90°C that achieves a 3-log reduction in viral load with minimal impedance within the mask mesh, with partition coefficient around 2. This is the first quantitative analysis of virucidal thermal inactivation within a protective face mask, and addresses a pressing need for new approaches for personal protective equipment during a global pandemic.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Chemical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Nuclear Science and Engineering
Terms of Use
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike
Persistent DSpace Link
DOI of Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.17250
