CFD Simulations of Ventilation and Interunit Dispersion in Dormitory Complex: A Case Study of Epidemic Outbreak in Shanghai
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
The authors in the manuscript entitled "CFD simulations of ventilation and interunit dispersion in dormitory complex: A case study of epidemic outbreak in Shanghai" addressed very very important and not so much investigated problem of Covid -19 virus in dormitory and high density areas. The findings of this paper might be very interesting for prevention of spreading the virus as well as on time isolation of possibly infected inhabitants of the neighbor room based on the current wind direction. This also may reduces unnecessary isolations that usually were applied to the much wider areas than needed.
In order accept the paper for publication some minor issues should be addressed.
On page 2, line 141 authors stated that N2O gas is used for field test. Why that gas but not some else? Please justify.
On page 3, line 143, Fig 3. is mentioned, but Fig 1 and Fig 2 are not mentioned before. Please correct or reorder figures.
On page 5, line 195 authors provided values of several coefficients, but it is not clear how these values are chosen. Please address this issue.
Author Response
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Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
This paper presents a study on pollutant dispersion in and around a dormitory complex using CFD simulations, with a focus on the risk of transmission and infection. The paper is well-structured and provides a thorough discussion of the results and observations, making it relevant to the readers of IJERPH. However, two concerns need to be addressed before publication:
1. The English language needs significant improvement, particularly starting with section 3 where some sentences are difficult to understand.
2. The chosen turbulence model is carefully chosen but the results obtained using it is not explained and discussed for their significance.
Author Response
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Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
A brief summary
The research presented showed an exciting study of the cross-diffusion of pollutants caused by natural ventilation, including external windows and indoor ventilation windows, under three wind directions in a densely-populated building environment with the CFD method.
General concept comments
Please specify the novelty of your research against state of art.
Why you used only the three wind directions? Is it the prevailing wind direction? What about the other wind directions? Are or are not important? Therefore, it would be appropriate to evaluate wind directions during the peak of the spread of diseases.
Specific comments
Did you respect the atmospheric boundary layer profile?
I recommend confirming the statement in row 136 with further references. Some research on particle spreading shows higher accuracy with the LES simulation. Is your validation confirmed based on a statistical method?
Why is the N2O with similarity to SARS-COV 2? What about the Particulate Matter? Is it comparable?
You did not specify all the quantities in Eq. 2 and 3.
Your computational model involved the open window regime. Are there any chances to obtain this situation? And what about the opened window on the upper and lower floors? Please comment.
Please check the reference list style. There are mistakes.
Are your ventilation rate in Figures 11 and 12 energy efficient?
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 2 Report
The revisions have significantly improved the clarity and overall quality of the paper.
Reviewer 3 Report
I accept the article in its present form.
