In a 2007 study using influenza-infected guinea pigs in climate-controlled habitats, res...

In a 2007 study using influenza-infected guinea pigs in climate-controlled habitats, researchers investigated the aerosol transmission of influenza virus while varying the temperature and humidity within the habitats. The research showed there were more infections when it was colder and drier, and based on this work a significant correlation was found between humidity ratio and influenza. (See BIOCONNECTIONS on p. 756) For the aerosol transmission experiments, guinea pigs were housed within cabinets like the one shown in Fig. P12.9D. Each cabinet is fitted with a dedicated compressed-air line and an associated compressed air dryer that provides precise and rapid control for the cabinet’s humidity injection and dehumidification systems. A condensate recirculator collects and recycles the condensate that forms in the base of the chamber and provides continuous, clean, filtered water to the cabinet’s humidity injection system. The cabinets were placed within an isolated room with an ambient temperature of approximately 20°C. Experimenters say ambient temperatures in excess of 25°C can result in chamber failure. The objective of this project is to specify the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the room housing the cabinets, assuming the room encompasses 500 ft² and houses five environmental cabinets with up to eight guinea pigs per cabinet. Each cabinet delivers a maximum heat transfer rate of 4000 Btu/h to the room. Document your design in a report including a minimum of three references that substantiate assumptions made during the design process.