Potential for natural ventilation in urban context: an assessment method

The potential for natural ventilation is the rating of the possibility to achieve a good indoor air quality by natural ventilation only. The potential for passive cooling can also be defined. These potentials depend on site and building and are based on several parameters. Example of determination in Geneva area is given.

Impact of an ozone generator air cleaner on styrene concentrations in an indoor air quality research chamber

The impact of an ozone generator air cleaner was investigated in a full scale test chamber. Test results demonstrate that, where styrene is present, air cleaners increase indoor levels of formaldehyde, oxygentaed organic compounds, ozone and nitrogen dioxide.

Indoor ozone and electronic air cleaners

Experiments with an air-handler and electronic air cleaner (producing ozone) were operated in a Canadian house to analyse ozone indoor levels for different air change rates and outside ozone levels. Continuous operation of air cleaner increases indoor ozone levels by up to 9 ppb, which may push indoor ozone levels higher than outdoor guidelines figures.

Improved test methods for electronic air cleaners

A test protocol for the determination of fractional filtration efficiency of electrostatic precipitators was developed in order to determine the changes in efficiency of these appliances in real life, due to reduced corona discharge from the ionizing wires, and to define an accelerated laboratory method reproducing the real life vapor deposition process leadiong to the coating of the wires.

Measurements and simulation of the indoor air quality impact of gaseous air cleaners in a test house

The performance of two gaseous air cleaners in a single test room was measured for toluene. The effectiveness is between 82 and 94%. Numerical simulations were performed with CONTAMW software to predict indoor air quality. The comparison with experimental results is good.

The effects of smoking status and ventilation upon environmental tobacco smoke concentrations in UK public houses and bars

Sixty pubs were investigated in the UK to measure environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) concentrations in smoking and non-smoking areas. The ETS sampling equipment is described. A statistical exploitation of the results shows that the status of the zone has a big influence on its ETS level: ETS concentration in smoking areas is higher than in non-smoking areas, but ETS exposures are significant in the non-smoking parts. Results also show that the effect of the ventilation system on the ETS concentration is not significant in such pubs.

Evaluation of air ducts interior liners with and without biocide coating in terms of extent of fungal growth under high humidity, water condensation and soiling conditions

Fiberglass duct interior liners with and without biocides were submitted in an environmental chamber during 15 days to high air humidities, moisture and nutrient. Conclusion is that liners with biocide reduce microbial growth under high humidity as long as they remain dirt free and dry. Impermeable smooth liners show better performance than liners with porous or rough surface.

HVAC designers and indoor air quality in Poland

A questionnaire about the perception by HVAC systems designers of indoor air quality problems, already used in the USA in 1993 on a group of 60 designers, was submitted to 32 Polish HVAC designers. Results of both surveys are compared. No big difference appears concerning the perception of the role of ventilation, but Polish designers show less knowledge about other factors having an impact on indoor air quality (emission from building materials, air quality perception,...).

Influence of different pollutant sources on selection of ventilation system in rooms with cooled ceilings

This paper analyses through CFD simulation results the removal effectiveness in an office cooled by a chilled ceiling combined with either mixing or displacement ventilation. For passive pollutant sources, both systems provide similar air quality. For active pollutants and when a large volume of all fresh air is supplied, displacement ventilation has better performance.

A comparison of indoor humidity behaviors: all-air and chilled-ceiling with dessicant cooling

A building energy similation code (ACCURACY) was used to compare indoor humidity in an office room in a hot and humid climate (Hong Kong weather condiitons) equipped either with a conventional constant volume all air system or with a chilled ceiling and a dessicant cooling system. The chilled ceiling and dessicant cooling provide better indoor humidity environment most of the time. The paper gives indications on how to avoid condensation on ceiling panels.

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