tracer gas

Reviews ideal characteristics of a tracer gas and gives literature review of the subject. Reports tests made on a house in California giving a direct intercomparison between common tracer gases used to measure air infiltration rates in buildings. Results indicate that air exchange rates measured using sulphur hexafluoride are slightly larger than thosemeasured using methane or nitrous oxide. The ratio of air change rates measured using sulphur hexafluoride to air change rates measured concurrently using a lighter tracer gas was found to be 1.10 +/- 0.10

Describes experiments made to determine the air infiltration rate through revolving doors. Estimates infiltration by combining air leakage past the door seals with infiltration caused by the revolving of the door. Finds that air exchange depends on door speed and temperature differential and somewhat on wind and indoor air velocities. Gives flow past the door seals as function of indoor -outdoor pressure differential and flow related to door movement for a motor- driven revolving door and for a manually operated door for traffic rates up to 2000 people per hour.

Gives an account of a method of measuring the ventilation rate of a room using hydrogen as a tracer gas. Describes katharometer used to detect the gas and the experimental procedure. Results agree well with those calculated by orifice plate method.

Outlines ventilation measurements being made on two storey semi-detached houses using helium as a tracer gas. Describes measurement of decay rates in single rooms, the recirculation between two rooms and by summation the ventilation rate of thewhole house. Describes installation used to measure ventilation rates when homes are occupied without interfering with the normallife of tenants.

Reports study of the potential for energy saving in an old low-rise, 50 unit apartment building. Energy use and heat balance of the building are calculated including heat loss through conduction and air infiltration. Also gives estimate of infiltration rate from a room found using first water vapour thensulphur hexafluoride as a tracer gas. Suggests various strategies for energy conservation which would result in a 30% saving in fuel. Methods are applicable to a wider class of old buildings

Compares methods of calculating ventilation rates in mechanically ventilated animal houses. Ventilation rates in several occupied animal houses were found by 1) measurement of internal to external temperature and moisture differences using a psychrometer;2) measuring decay rates of radioactive krypton as a tracer gas;3) estimating from manufactures rating of fans. Concludes that different methods agree to within the order of 5 or 10% and suggests the use of psychrometer techniques for simplicity.

Gives measurements of air infiltration made in ten houses in Indiana using helium as a tracer gas. Assumes linear dependence of infiltration rate on temperature difference and wind velocity and calculates infiltration rate per unit crack length. Change rates ranged from about 0.6 to 1.5 changes per hour.

Reports measurements of infiltration rates in two research houses in Minnesota under different wind, temperature and inside operating conditions using helium as a tracer gas. Suggests linear dependence of infiltration rate on temperature difference and wind velocity. Found infiltration rates varied from 0.1 to 0. 4 changes per hour

Reviews methods of measuring infiltration rates. Describes tests made on a mobile home using carbon monoxide as a tracer gas and measuring the rate of decay. Concludes that infiltration rates depend primarily on whether or not the blowers for air conditioning or heating are turned on. Without blower the infiltration rate was of the order of 0.8 changes per hour, with the blowers it was 1.2 to 1.7. Reported linear dependence of infiltration rate on temperature difference but did not identifya dependable trend on the effects of wind.

Describes measurements of air change rates using radioactive krypton as a tracer gas in a domestic house. Reports measurement of air change rates for a single room heated by either an open fire or a central heating radiator. Examines effect of opening doors and windows and rate of flow up chimney. Found with all the doors open very large airflows from heated downstairs roomsto unheated upper storey, causing large heat transfer to bedrooms: if bedroom doors were shut very little warming of bedrooms took place.