Cyclone negative pressure pump for efficient purification of airborne contaminants

Abstract

Maintaining an isolation room with negative pressure is crucial in medical facilities to prevent the spread of airborne infections, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, conventional negative pressure pumps have limitations in gathering suspended particles and controlling the airflow effectively. To resolve this issue, we developed a novel class of negative pressure pump that creates a swirling cyclone flow at the front to efficiently collect pollutants and particles, which was confirmed by a smoke visualization experiment. Based on the prototype pump, we conducted a numerical analysis to evaluate the particle collection performance of the cyclone pump in various scenarios, including patients covered with contaminants, and coughing or breathing. Our results demonstrate that the cyclone pump can purify airborne pollutants by up to 80%, offering superior performance over conventional pumps. We also identified optimal pump placement for effective particle purification. This research provides an innovative solution for improving the efficiency of negative pressure pumps and ventilation systems in medical settings, contributing to better control of airborne infections. © 2025 The Authors