Building Pathogen Sensing Across Air and Sewage Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Building management systems lack effective solutions for real-time pathogen detection and responsive action across various environments within a building, such as air and sewage, which can lead to inefficient infection control and potential spread of pathogens.
Innovation Solution
A pathogen detection system comprising multiple sensors positioned throughout a building to detect pathogens in air, sewage, and surfaces, with processing circuitry that analyzes data from these sensors to determine the presence, location, and severity of pathogen outbreaks, and initiates targeted responsive actions, including adjustments to HVAC systems and disinfection methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple pathogen detectors are deployed throughout the building to detect pathogens in air and sewage, then pathogen detection coverage and response capability are improved, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The building is divided into multiple zones with detectors strategically positioned in each zone, and the system segments monitoring into air quality detection and sewage quality detection pathways, allowing comprehensive coverage while managing complexity through modular organization
Solution Approach 2:
The pathogen detection system is integrated with the existing building management system and HVAC system, allowing the detection system to serve multiple functions including pathogen detection, air quality monitoring, and triggering responsive actions through existing building infrastructure
2Reliability
If real-time pathogen detection and responsive actions are implemented, then infection control effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of pathogens in air and sewage before widespread contamination occurs, allowing preventive actions to be taken early when fewer resources are needed, rather than responding to established outbreaks
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies responsive actions selectively to only those zones where pathogens are detected, rather than treating the entire building uniformly, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective infection control in affected areas
3Measurement precision
If frequent sampling and analysis of detection data is performed, then pathogen detection accuracy and response time are improved, but data processing load and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs sampling and analysis at periodic intervals rather than continuously, balancing the need for accurate detection with the need to limit data processing load and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from detection results to dynamically adjust sampling frequency and analysis depth, increasing monitoring intensity when pathogens are detected and reducing it during normal conditions to optimize resource usage
Data Source
AI summary
A pathogen detection system for a building includes a plurality of pathogen detectors positioned in the building at a plurality of locations, the plurality of pathogen detectors configured to output pathogen data indicating whether presence of a pathogen has been detected. The pathogen detection system further includes processing circuitry configured to obtain first detection data from a first pathogen detector of the plurality of pathogen detectors positioned at a first location in the building, in response to obtaining the first detection data, analyze second detection data from a second pathogen detector of the plurality of pathogen detectors, determine a responsive action associated with an area or zone of the building based on the first detection data and the second detection data, and perform the responsive action or initiate the responsive action within the area or zone.