Design of a low cost Ultraviolet Disinfection unit to minimize the cross-contamination of COVID-19 in transport

Abstract

In this work, a cost-effective disinfection system for Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is proposed to be used inside public transport. The disinfection system is twofold, firstly containing a tower unit where UV-C (Ultraviolet type-C) lamps are positioned in parallel, in such a way that, 360-degree space is covered, and secondly a power unit that incorporates robotics and electrical parts. The <tex>$\boldsymbol{UVC}$</tex> unit is a separate and movable tower that can be placed anywhere inside a vehicle horizontally or vertically.<tex>$\boldsymbol{UV}$</tex> lamps in the tower have a <tex>$\boldsymbol{254 \ nm}$</tex> wavelength with a total power of 180 Watt. The system can provide a dose of <tex>${\it{16.9}mj/cm^{2}}$</tex> within 26.83 seconds if the distance of the targeted surface inside a vehicle from the <tex>$\boldsymbol{UVC}$</tex> light source is 1.5 meters. Various distances from the <tex>$\boldsymbol{UV}$</tex> source to the targeted surface inside the vehicle are chosen and calculated the required corresponding times to achieve the required dose to inactivate all viral concentrations. The developed disinfection system not only minimizes the growth of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 <tex>$\boldsymbol{(SARS-CoV-2}$</tex>) by performing robotic features ensuring human detection auto turn off but also utilizes minimum labor work which is vital in the current Covid-19 pandemic.