Rundown

Opening speech

Part 1: Effective Ventilation Strategies in Hospital Environments

Part 2: Outdoor Urban Morphology and Virus Transmission

Part 3: Dynamics of In-Pipe Environment

Q&A session

[Effective Ventilation Strategies in Hospital Environments]

Bio: Prof. Ling Tim Wong is the Associate Head and Associate Professor in the Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He received the Hans B. Thorelli Award in 2006 and 2011 and the Emerald Literati Network Award for Excellence. He is a working commission member (W062) of the Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction and organized the 34th CIBW062 International Symposium in Hong Kong in 2008. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the journal AIR.

Abstract: This session will focus on the latest developments in effective ventilation strategies. We will explore critical design parameters, including Air Changes per Hour (ACH), optimal designs, and energy consumption considerations for healthcare-associated infections (HAls) and airborne virus transmission. The insights will inform practical guidelines to mitigate airborne transmission risks in General Human Occupied Areas (GHOAs), ensuring a safer environment for patients and healthcare workers.

[Outdoor Urban Morphology and Virus Transmission]

Bio: Prof. Chun Ho Liu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Hong Kong. His research focuses on air pollution physics and chemistry, geophysical turbulence, and scientific computing. He currently investigates the urban atmospheric boundary layer, using large-scale computer models to examine how urban morphology modifies transport processes, refining land-surface parameterizations, particularly urban roughness.

 
Abstract: This seminar will explore how the physical layout of urban environments influences the spread of airborne viruses as passive scalars. We examine how urban structures can mitigate or exacerbate virus transmission. Key findings indicate that urban morphology-such as building density, street orientation, and green spaces-plays crucial roles in determining airflows and pollutant dispersion, affecting viral particle concentration and transmission likelihood in densely populated areas.

[Dynamics of In-Pipe Environment]

Bio: Ir Prof. Eric Wai Ming Lee is a Professor in the Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering at City University of Hong Kong. His research expertise includes building water supply and drainage systems and computational modeling of multi-phase flow. Prof. Lee is an active member of the HKIE and contributes to various technical committees under HKSAR Government departments.

Abstract: Air pressure fluctuations in building drainage systems can cause problems if proper venting is not provided. Excessive positive pressure may push foul air into the building through the trap seal, while excessive negative pressure can empty the trap seal. To reduce these fluctuations, cross-vents connect the drainage stack to the vent stack every two or three floors. This study uses computational fluid dynamics techniques to investigate cross-vent design.

Remark:

•    Upon successful registration, participants will receive a confirmation email by no later than 6 May 2025, noon (Tuesday).

•    If the applicants have not received the confirmation email on or before 6 May 2025 noon, their applications will be regarded as NOT successful. 

•    Registration will close at 23:59 on 1 May 2025.