Assessing the performance of room air cleaners using a room environmental chamber.

Models are presented for describing the performance of room air cleaners in removing pollutants from indoor air, particularly the levels of removal that can be achieved in practice. Controlled levels of pollutant were generated in a room environmental chamber, and the performance of a commercial room air cleaner was assessed according to the models. The room environmental chamber was operated in static (sealed) or dynamic (ventilated) modes. Similar cleaner performance levels were found for both modes, although the dynamic mode provided a better understanding of cleaner performance and more closely simulated practical operation.