tracer gas

Gives theoretical justification for the use of tracer gas method for measuring air infiltration. Describes automated instrumentation system using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. The system consists of an electron capture detector, an automation unit, an SF6 storage and injection panel, a cassette recorder and corresponding plumbing and tanks. Gives examples of field use of system.

Describes a system which measures the rate of air infiltration in buildings using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. Discusses two methods for evaluating the infiltration rate,the decay method and the constant concentration method. The system automatically operates a portable electron capture detector /chromatograph and samples air on a one-minute cycle. In the decay method the slope of concentration vs time on a semilogarithmic plot can be used to compute infiltration rate.

Reviews use of tracer compounds to demonstrate the transfer of pollutants from one local area or city to another. A study of gaseous compounds resulted in the selection of three suitable materials:sulphur hexafluoride, bromotrifluoromethan andOctafluorocyclobutane. These materials are all non-toxic, rare in the atmosphere and can be readily dispersed from tanks.Describes two systems developed to detect tracer gases. Sensitivity of 10-5 p.p.m. was achieved for sulphur hexafluoride without concentration of the sample. Gives method for collectingair samples and analysing them.

Describes use of SF6 in tracer gas studies to determine solvent fumes in indoor and outdoor environments and how meteorological conditions affect SO2 content of atmosphere. Lists instrumentation used. Discusses properties of SF6 and properties required of a tracer gas, calibration and comparison of U.S. and Swedish results. Lists practical problems both general and specific to gas chromatography and factors affecting results. Suggests future development prospects stating advantage that lower concentrations of SF6 are required compared with N2O for examples.

Describes investigation of air infiltration in a house using chlorothene as a tracer gas. Gives table of the data collected. Reports the unexpected result that infiltration rates could bereduced by increasing inside relative humidity. Suggests this is due to changes in hygroscopic building materials, especially wood. Concludes that increasing relative humidity from 20 to 40%could save from 5 to 15% on fuel costs. This analysis does not take into account the energy used to evaporate humidification water.

A supply of fresh air is necessary in any dwelling to ensure a comfortable, safe and hygienic environment, but the heat loss to this air, during the heating season, may represent a substantial proportion of the total heat loss. This points to the need forgreater control of domestic ventilation, either by using a mechanical system or by better design for natural ventilation. This paper touches upon both of these possibilities. Gives simple method for assessing approximately the possible reduction in heat loss achieved by the use of a mechanical ventilation system.

Describes detailed study of infiltration rates measured with a tracer gas and air leakage rates obtained from fan pressurization in small, 3 - bedroom California house as part of a larger study. Finds surface pressure measurements are an essential step in process of finding a correlation between natural air infiltration and air leakage by pressurization. Measurements also show significant duct leakage and air flow between attic, living space and crawl space.

Derives equations for the calculation of air-change-rate in a room where carbon dioxide is being produced at a known rate using the measured initial and final concentrations of CO2. Also derives expression for the calculation of air-change-rate with no source of CO2 but a high initial concentration

Describes research project which aimed to quantify the difference between actual dynamic ventilation rates and natural ventilation rates predicted using a steady state model. 

Reports the investigation of the natural ventilation of three test houses. Describes the houses which were of standard design. Natural ventilation rates were measured using sulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. An energy audit was also performed using a fan to pressurize and depressurize the house and an infrared scanner to detect the leakage paths. The tracer gas measurements were converted to a format similar to thepressurization results by using a previously developed model. Gives results in the form of graphs.